One of the many weird things you do in SAF

Well, I'm now at home stealing some time to blog before I check back into camp. Got home yesterday evening. How did I do it?

Nah. I was not clearing any off. And I certainly have not deserted the army, though I really wish I had the balls to. Instead, I was sent from camp to do an unusual job. Every now and then we commanders have to book out to do lesser seen jobs like escorting a really sick recruit to see an external specialist, do hospital visits, do ambush house visits to catch recruits who went AWOL, meet parents, etc.

Well I got arrowed to attend a court session to find out the verdict of a former trainee who was arrested outside for some crime and got remanded. So I fortunately got to book out last night as I had to reach Subordinate Court by 830 in the morning. I spent me evening DOTA-ing away as the dear princess is studying for a major paper today *sidetrack* All the best for your paper today k!!!

Erm ok. I was pretty much excited this morning when I woke up at 7. Frist time I'm attending a hearing session! Way cool! Must have watched too much yi hao huang ting or wadsitname in the past. As I had never been there before, I had to ask people for directions when I alighted from Clarke Quay MRT. The MRT control station dude gave me the what-offence-did-you-do look when I asked him. He pointed me to the escalator and I rode up towards the exit. Is it really typical for a Singaporean mind to stereotype? Yes I have short hair, and an ugly one too. Ariff was experimenting a "new" hair trend two nights ago and I was his experimental model. It was a disaster and I refuse to see any of my friends now. Even with a cap on. Yeah, I have an ugly hairdo and I can look like a beng when I want. But that does not make me a criminal when I ask for directions to the Sabo courts. Hahaha. The next 2 persons I asked for directions shot me the same look.

But, there's really something different about walking down Eu Tong Seng street feeling carefree and burden-less. Strolling down unopened shops, bypassing Chinatown, crossing New Bridge Road, it just feel so different. Can't wait to ORD earlier so I can do strolls like this more often.

I finally reach the courts after 10 minutes of walking. Was given a thorough security check as I past through its doors. When I finally found the courtroom I wanted, there was already a mini crowd forming a queue outside. I was expecting a tiny room where I would see the former recruit receieve his verdict from the judge and then I can go home earlier. I was wrong. I wondered how the heck did that recruit managed to get so many friends and relatives down just to hear a verdict of 5 mins? (There was like 30 plus ppl behind me by 830) My question was answered as I was ushered into a big room. There at the side of the room in a corner sat almost 50 people of all ages and gender accused of different crimes.

Didnt know that court cases were held this way. Didnt all those shows like triple 9 portray a very deep sense of individuality when it comes to the trying of people accussed? Well, the judge went off like a machine gun. One case was heard every 5 mins. People arrested for rioting, robbery, petty theft, extortion, deceit, illegal gambling, etc. They were slapped with fines, jail terms and probations. Heard lawyers arguing, pleading for lighter sentences, mitigating for reduced bail amouts etc. Was quite interesting to see lawyers from different sides make their statements.

It's difficult to describe all that I see in detail and I'm really to lazy to type more. Therefore if I meet any of you folks (when my hair grows again), I'll share more k?

Anyway, I soon got bored of what they called the "pastime for the rich and educated". 20 plus people were heard. When will it be my recruit's turn?

Finally I heard his case being mentioned.

The verdict?

Case Adjourned.

Well what an anti-climax. But it was not totally a fruitless trip. For the first time I attended a court session as a spectator.

It was something that I wanted to do for a long time...