Daily Lessons from Life 30 July 2010 - British author defiant in court

"Fri, Jul 30, 2010 AFP - British author defiant in court

A BRITISH author facing a possible jail term over his book criticising Singapore's use of the death penalty was defiant following his first court hearing on Friday.

Alan Shadrake appeared in a packed courtroom to hear contempt of court charges leveled against him by the Attorney General following the local launch of his book 'Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock'.


A High Court judge granted an adjournment, giving Shadrake's lawyer two weeks to further prepare for the case and another week for prosecutors to respond."

I am not sure what this huhhah is all about really. Maybe the AG has its reason to bring this old man to court. Maybe his audacity to launch the book that criticized Singapore justice system, allegedly inaccurately and twisted!, in Singapore itself, albeit, a private by-invitation only event, felt like an uninvited guest dropping into one's backyard to 'dirty' the place. Not responding may be deemed to be weak! I don't know.

Lessons for me are:

1. it is good to have some external parties to challenge ourselves and then by bringing that external parties to court, Singaporeans and the international community can have a chance to see how justice play out. That the truth be told as the external parties get convicted under Singapore laws;

2. it is also good for Singaporeans who has the curiosity and courage to question the status quo, hopefully not in a violent or destabilizing manner, to learn that your facts and evidence must be spot on if you want to do so. Nothing short of a water-tight case can be take the risk of challenging something that is sacred to Singapore - the justice system of Singapore works in a fair and just manner;

3. as for the old foreign author, it is just as well his is old and can, if he wants to, risk the rest of his life to be spent behind bars. Not the drinking type but those that keep prisoners. At the same time, it will be wonderful if he can do it with respect and dignity and not try to be disrespectful. May he enjoy whatever results he is looking for - results going his way or against him.

What is right and wrong must be proven in the court of laws. Fairly!