Monday, April 03, 2006

A few months back a few friends of mine and including myself were discussing about the speculation that Chief Justice Yong Pung How, the longest serving CJ in the world, was going to retire when his term was up but when the time came never did to the dissapointment, we reckon, of some lawyers. Then a few months later after that fateful conversation, lo and behold, this weekend it was published in the newspapers that CJ Yong will be stepping down on April 10 and Attorney General Chan Sek Keong wil be taking over.

Not being disrespectful of the CJ, I swear i heard some silent cheering going around the legal community. i'm joking =P

Anyways CJ Yong is known to be very strict, shrewd and a no nonsense kind of person. What i distictly remember about the CJ is how he increased the jail sentence of a man who appealed on a conviction of assult from 6 years to 10 years.

Some quotable quotes from our dear CJ: -

'I am not here for sympathy's sake. I am here sometimes to be as unsympathetic and cruel as possible.' This was recently expressed in 2004 during the appeal of the two RSS Courageous officers convicted of negligence.

Other recent gems include "You are mad or almost mad. I am not in a position to help, I am very sorry. I have never heard so much nonsense" during the appeal by a conman.

"There are countries where you can go and suck away for all you are worth" but not here, during the appeal of a former policeman who had oral sex with an underaged but sexually active girl.

Other comments on sex crimes-related appeals are his decision to imprison a child kidnapper-molestor "Until he is 79 years old with a probably reduced libido".

In another 2002 case, when a man convicted for sex crimes remorsefully promised, "I assure Your Honour this will be my last offence," CJ Yong replied: "Well, I will help you. I will make sure you will not commit any more offences" by throwing him in prison for a fairly long time, "I will die in prison", in agreement CJ Yong replied, "I am sure you will. I can't do anything about it".

Yes our CJ can be amusing =)

As cold or amusing (take your pick) as he might sound, CJ Yong received the country's highest National Day Honour, Order of Temaek, for his outstanding contributions in reforming and strengthening the Singapore Justice System. Apart from that he had been instrumental in the dramatic transformation of the Subordinate Courts which have been rated world class and recommended by the World Bank as a model for modernisation for judiciaries of developing and developed countries.

Andd he is the one who introduced Information Technology (IT) to the courts' management process which i absolutely salute him for cause it is so convenient as compared to how it was done years ago and i actually love doing the E-filing thingy *grinz*

Well all i can say is that AG Chan has big shoes to fill and I wish him all the best.

oh and btw isnt it curious that singapore's former CJ, current CJ and upcoming CJ are all born in Malaysia?? Penang, KL and Ipoh respectively.
just a thought =)

||:PreCiouS:||
4/03/2006 03:47:00 AM
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.The Writer.

I love standing in the rain, letting the feel of raindrops caress feverish skin, letting it wash away my thoughts, worries and pain. I love the feel of sand between my toes, the cool wind whispering in my ear, the soothing sound of the sea, the warmth of a hug. I love anything vintage, historical, mysterious and magical. I like to laugh, I like freedom and happiness, I like the idea of romance, being swept off my feet and happy endings. I currently have no idea where i'm going but i know i'll get where i'm suppose to be in due time. I want things i cant have, I dream of things that can never be but i'm too afraid to leave the things i'm familiar with even when i know i'm adaptable to change. I can be the person you love or hate, like or loath, admire or envy. I am not perfect,
I am just me.