KUALA LUMPUR — Former DAP stalwart and prominent Seremban-based lawyer, John Fernandez had died.
In a post on his Facebook page, his son Ivan confirmed the passing of his father on Saturday.
It is learnt that his death was related to his old age.
Fernandez was among the key people who along with DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang, former Singapore president, the late Devan Nair, the late Dr Chen Man Hin among others who founded the party in 1966.
Despite being part of the DAP’s setup in the beginning, Fernandez had a topsy-turvy journey with the party.
He first served as one-term assemblyman in Rasah between 1974 to 1978 before subsequently quitting DAP in 1980, citing differences with the party’s leadership.
Fernandez tried to make a comeback under the then Workers’ Party banner, contesting in the then Jimah state seat in Negri Sembilan but ended up losing his deposit.
Subsequently, he rejoined DAP in 2000 and was elected as Seremban MP for a single term in 2008.
He exited the party again in 2013 citing the lack of Indian candidates fielded by the party for the 2013 General Election, and tried to defend the Seremban parliamentary seat as an independent candidate.
However, he lost the seat to present MP and current DAP secretary-general, Anthony Loke, after merely garnering 221 votes.
Fernandez is survived by his wife Rose Ng and four children. — December 26, 2023