
"the uniform for the day. super fat lah!!"
I realize it is like soo much easier to write when I'm on Blogger than on Microsoft Word! Maybe because it's tricking my mind into writing something at a site where I'm used to and comfortable with. Or maybe just because I've taken the feature-ish route when it came to writing this article. I just wanted that feature/human interest feel for reading this article. I shall attempt to write the academic paper on Blogger and see if the words flow as easily.
I paused just outside the doors. The Supreme Court loomed in front of me, large and intimidating. I had previously only passed by outside, but never lingered to go in. Dare I go in now? Of course. Well, I had to, or else I would not be able to complete this project.
The first thing I encountered was going through a security check right at the entrance. The policemen looked anything but friendly, but I passed by without incident. The receptionist was an entirely different story, all smiles and ready to help. I instantly decided I liked her. She offered brochures and explanations of the goings-on in the court. A usual court session would start in the morning, at around 9 or
I set off for the lifts, wondering why none of the escalators did not seem to be working. I took the lift up to the 5th level so I could sit in at one of the sessions held at that floor. The decoration mirrored the interiors of a showflat: minimalist, playing on the colours of white, black and neutrals for that pristine look. I admired their taste and felt slightly intimidated at the same time. Perhaps that was their intentions all along.
Each chamber, even the smaller-sized ones, was large. They were all decorated in similar fashion, with white walls for a sleek and professional look. At the back of each chamber was a small viewing area available for the public, separated by a glass panel. And then there was the judge. The judges had the ‘highest’ seat compared to everyone else, towering over everybody else in the courtroom. Just before the judge were two people also facing everyone else: one was a court clerk taking notes of the session and the other to assist the counsel. He was the one to call when the judge entered or left the room, and he was the one who would pass any notes from the Prosecutor to the judge.
The judge was ruthless, I personally thought. Every account was taken into detail, every point made note of, no question gone unanswered. When the prosecution failed to mention a point, the judge would immediately stop her and proceed to grill her on the details.
The judges of the next few chambers I sat in were no different. Perhaps what we classified as ruthless, they simply considered it as thorough, precise, and uncompromising. What I noticed from sitting in various sessions was that a translator would be present if need be. Clarity was after all exceedingly important when it comes to trials. Some judges would treat the witnesses differently though. Some would be ruthless towards the Prosecutor, others warmer towards the witnesses. Every judge had their own style, but each one was similar in terms of the way they conducted themselves. But the one common running theme was: full respect for the judge and the court. Anyone who came in or left the courtroom had to bow towards the judge first. The judge was also to be constantly addressed as "Your Honour". And absolute silence was required from everyone who was not to be involved. Signs discouraging bringing or eating food, taking videos or photographs, smoking, recording and talking were placed prominently. Silencing of phones was also a must before even stepping into the Supreme Court.
Making each chamber soundproof was no accident. Neither was the installation of heavy doors and thick carpets. All these would help minimize any interruptions and noise that might be made outside or if and when people entered and left the chambers.
I watched as someone else stepped up to an escalator, which moved immediately. So that's how it works! And all along I had the impression that there simply was not enough electricity to light the courtrooms and power the escalators at the same time. Instead, they were saving on unnecessary power by adding a sensor so that the escalators would not work unless someone stepped on them. Ingenious, but first-timers like me would have to observe others first before understanding the mysterious concept of the escalators.
A trip to the Supreme Court could not be complete without taking a look at the viewing gallery. The viewing gallery truly had a spectacular view. I had always seen the famous UFO-shaped building from the outside but this was the first time I was looking from the inside. It overlooked the
Finally it was time to go. I had seen all that I could see, and had enough material to write, and enough awe of the Supreme Court now that I had seen the grand halls inside. “See you again!” a security guard calls out cheerily as I left. The Supreme Court, with all its large halls and grandeur, suddenly looked a little less intimidating, thanks to the warmth of the people.
Compare the size of the drawers to my size. I think two of those can easily equal me. And I had to lug that back home during rush hour, taking MRT and a bus. I apologize to those passengers I may have accidentally hit on the way.
I shall take a 'Before' and 'After' shot! This is the 'Before'. The 'After' shot will have to wait I guess. I wonder how it's gonna look like. HAHA.
þêªCë GimSiong says:
i know you cant bear to
þêªCë GimSiong says:
it takes time.
Far-rari says:
i dunno man
Far-rari says:
i'm so confused
Far-rari says:
n i feel so alone
þêªCë GimSiong says:
you are not alone, without him, you still have ur other frens.
þêªCë GimSiong says:
what abt me? you still have me, fari.


