Reformasi activist S Jayathas passed away at Kuala Lumpur Hospital this evening following a long battle with illness.

News of his death is being circulated on various social media platforms, including through PKR communications chief Fahmi Fadzil’s Twitter account.

“Jayathas was a hardcore fighter in the Reformasi movement. His contributions and sacrifice will always be remembered,” Fahmi said.

It is understood that Jayathas had been fighting a kidney-related disease until his passing at about 4pm today, at the age of 52.

Jayathas was a prominent Reformasi activist, and a member of the group Otai Reformis.

He held various positions within PKR over the course of his political career, including Subang PKR chief and the party's human rights and legal affairs bureau deputy chief.

In 2004, Jayathas ran for the Merlimau state seat, but only managed to garner 16.43 percent of the vote.

Apart from his activism in PKR and the Reformasi movement, the lawyer was also active within the Hindraf movement, where he served as information chief.

Among the issues he championed were the plight of stateless Indian Malaysians, deaths in custody and the demolition of Hindu temples, even as his activism resulted in him being detained by police on several occasions.