Impressions from a Singaporean Court

The ceiling of subordinate court room no. 5 looks like a giant rock, a big granite-coloured block ready to crush anyone underneath with all its might. A circle of neon light tubes shines its cold light from the center. It is reflected on the immaculately polished bald head of the public prosecutor. He occasionally eyes the defendants with a wry smile.

The defendants, 18 local activists including SDP leader Dr. Chee, are accused of participating in an assembly outside Parliament House on 15 Mar 08. In course of the World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) they protested against rising costs of living in Singapore. Under Singaporean law this is an offense disturbing public order. They will most likely been imprisoned, since they did not obtain the police permit necessary to make the protest legal.

Despite the grim outlook--they will most likely be imprisoned--the defendants appear cheerful and defiant. Today's witness is the local police chief who was apparently responsible for the permit necessary to protest lawfully. Dr. Chee presents Evidence C, the police instructions about the application for the crucial permit. "Would you read point two please" he asks the police chief. "Normal processing time is seven working days" he reads. "It took 28 days to process my permit until rejection, could you explain to me in which way my permit was not normal?" asks Mr. Chee. "This information is confidential" follows the high policeman's final answer. "Are you the chief of police or the boss of a Mafia!?" Dr. Chee blurts out, but quickly calms down again.

The speakers are forced to talk at the speed of someone on Valium. There is no stenographer, instead the judge painstakingly types every word in his computer. "Hold on, hold on..."he frequently interrupts speakers urging them to testify even slower as the trial drags along. Most of the time thus only the clicking of the judge's keyboard fills the room. A whiff of futility is in the air. One of the defendants lawyer's is picking his nose with a distant stare, rolling the prey solemnly between his fingers . The security guard at the door critically examines his developing pot belly, pulling it in as far as possible and quickly tightening the belt on his blue uniform. A pleased expression fills his face for the split of a second, then he recovers his expressionless stare.

The judge has finished writing. "Could you explain how this is in any way relevant to your defense please" he asks Dr. Chee. The SDP leader responds "The delay was obviously incrimatory, the processing time was four times as long as normal, if this isn't relevant to our defence, what is!?". There is a request of cross-examination of the police chief by the defendants, but it is rejected. The Public Prosecutor takes the word, "as it is already clear, the processing time of the permit is rather irrelevant to the case" he begins "and I'd like to respond to accusations I am protective of the witness in not supporting the request for cross-examination. If I am protective of something, then that is this trial, since I think it would be a waste of time."
Mr Mahmood, one of the defendants, calmly asks in response "If the Public Prosecutor considers our defense a waste of time, where really is a fair trial and justice here?"