The power list: 30 people who have shaped Singapore (Part 2)

We continue the countdown from last week's list (30 to 21) with those personalities making up the places from 20 to 11.

20. J.B. Jeyaretnam: Power puncher

A titan in Singapore’s minefield of opposition politics, the late Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam, more commonly known as JBJ, worked relentlessly for democracy for almost 40 years before his death at 82 years of age in 2008.

He was the first opposition politician to become an elected Member of Parliament in 1981-86 and served again as a Non-Constituency MP in 1997-2001. But a series of libel and bankruptcy suits against him crippled his political abilities. Shortly before his death, finally cleared of bankruptcy and determined to re-emerge in the political scene, he set up the Reform Party, which is now headed by his son Kenneth Jeyaretnam.

“My father demonstrated to Singaporeans that democracy means the right to change your government if you are not satisfied with it,” says Jeyaretnam. “His legacy lives on in the Reform Party. Our aim is to be in a position to form the government of Singapore … and this aim is enshrined in the Party constitution, which was written by JBJ.”

How would the late JBJ feel about this post-humous honor? “I am sure if he was still around,” says Jeyaretnam, “he would be pleased.”

19. Violet Oon: The domestic Bibik

The Delia Smith of her generation, Violet Oon has been cooking and evangelizing about food -- Asian food, in particular -- for over 40 years.

Through TV programmes, magazine articles and bestselling cookbooks, her influence on Singapore’s culinary tradition and her considerable repertoire of recipes are belied by her jovial countenance and now, in her sixth decade, she is parlaying her Nonya heritage to a new audience with great effect.

This past September, Oon was the marquee attraction for the Peranakan Exhibition in Paris' Musée du quai Branly, bowling over the French with her mix of buah keluak ayam, pineapple tarts and homespun élan.

18. Eric Khoo: Celluloid genius

Eric Khoo put us on the global stage with his art house films: “Mee Pok Man” and “12 Storeys.” Both of which have picked up awards at film festivals. They showcased our filmmaking talents to the world, and the world reciprocated -- “12 Storeys” was shown at the 50th Cannes Film Festival.

Unlike our saccharine television dramas, Khoo’s films celebrate the anti-hero with disturbing but soulful stories that capture Singapore's underbelly.

Khoo is currently directing his first animated feature based on the works and life of Japanese manga artist, Yoshihiro Tatsumi.

17. Kumar: The drag Queen of Singapore

No one is knocking off Singapore's comedian numero uno anytime soon.

We love Kumar not just because he dresses (and looks good!) in drag, but also for mocking everything Singaporean from the city state's policies on making babies to our racial quirkswithout getting hauled up by the authorities.

The key to Kumar's balancing act of raunchy wisecracks with social acceptability lies in "not being too political."

Regardless, this man (or lady when he's working) is an example on how Singaporeans aren't a humorless lot. He makes us laugh regularly at the Three Monkeys in Orchard Towers .

16. Michael Chiang: Mood manager

In a prolific career that has spanned nearly three decades, publisher, playwright, editor, novelist and media consultant, Michael Chiang has effortlessly captured the mood of Singaporeans with deft humour and subtlety.

Whether his first book "Army Daze" -- a cheerfully sardonic snapshot of military service that still resonates 25 years later -- or his nostalgic musicals ("Beauty World" and "Mortal Sins" among them), Chiang captures the appealing nature of ordinary Singaporeans with flair.

The humor of his work has an affection that is universal while remaining intrinsically Asian. It’s a tricky balance to be sure, but it’s one that leaves you cheering for more.

Turn to page 2 for numbers 15-11.