PKR activist and former Hindraf leader S. Jayathas died at Kuala Lumpur Hospital this afternoon.

Several top PKR leaders tweeted news of his death, and conveyed their condolences.

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said she was saddened to hear about Jayathas’ death, and that she and her husband, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, had visited him in hospital recently.

“Jayathas had been a reformist since the (Reformasi) movement began in 1998.

“We hope his family and friends stay strong as they receive this devastating news,” she said in a Twitter post accompanied by a photo of her and Anwar beside Jayathas.

PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali said: “Heartbroken by the passing of brother Jayathas, an activist and true reformist. Hope he will be at peace over there. Condolences to his family.”

It was reported that Jayathas, who was also a lawyer, had suffered from a kidney ailment. He was 52.

PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil, who was among the first to deliver the bad news, tweeted his condolences to Jayathas’ family.

“Brother Jayathas was a hardcore fighter in the reform movement. His contributions and sacrifice will forever be remembered.”

Former Batu MP Chua Tian Chang called Jayathas a good friend and dedicated activist with a “true fighter spirit”.

“I lost a fellow traveller in the journey of struggle. Jayathas is (a) legacy of Reformasi. Rest in peace, my brother…” said the PKR vice-president, better known as Tian Chua.

He posted a photo of Jayathas with handcuffs on one hand, with the other pointing to an anti-Internal Security Act badge pinned on his shirt.

PKR vice-president Dr Xavier Jayakumar said Jayathas was “truly an outstanding being who could relate to the grassroots with such ease”.

“May his soul rest in peace.”

Former Bersih 2.0 activist Mandeep Singh tweeted that Jayathas’ death is a huge loss to the country.

A check of Jayathas’ Facebook page showed it is flooded with condolence messages and photos of his fight for reform.

Before he joined PKR, Jayathas was seen as Hindraf leader P. Uthayakumar’s most trusted lieutenant.

In the 2004 general election, he contested Malacca’s Merlimau state seat on a PKR ticket, but lost to Barisan Nasional.

In 2012, he joined PKR, saying at the time that the party would serve as a better platform to champion Indians’ cause.

Jayathas was once Subang PKR division chief, and deputy head of the party’s human rights and legal bureau.

In 2015, he was among the many opposition leaders and activists detained for taking part in the March 7 #KitaLawan rally, held to protest against the implementation of the goods and services tax and Anwar’s second sodomy conviction. – May 21, 2019.