1926 - Born in Sri Lanka

1951 - Called to the bar

1952 - Started career as magistrate and later, deputy public prosecutor

1971-2001 - served as Secretary-General of the Workers' Party

1979 - Lost defamation suit against then PM Lee Kuan Yew

1980 - His wife Margaret Walker dies of cancer

1981-1986 - First opposition MP to win a seat in Parliament, becomes MP for Anson constituency

1986 - Jailed for making a false declaration

1986 - Lost parliamentary seat in Anson in November and ceased to be Member of Parliament

1990 - Lost defamation suit against Mr Lee Kuan Yew

1997-2001 - Served as Non-Constituency MP

2001 - Declared bankrupt and lost his seat in Parliament

2007 - Discharged from bankruptcy and allowed to resume practising law

2008 - Founded the Reform Party in June

2008 - Dies of heart failure