We feel lonely, sometimes to the point of tears, but we don’t let those tears come because we are not supposed to cry. Or how we feel a surge of love for a partner but we don’t say anything because we’re frozen with the fear of what those words might do to the relationship.
-Mitch Albom
We joined the Supreme Court Tour! It was a mad rush going to the supreme court cos I planned lotsa back to back activities on that day! we were super lucky to find a parking lot at the museum juz across the street and dash across to register!
and the tour started at the holding area in the supreme court. this is the area where the prisoners alight from those heavily guarded vehicle from the detention center.
the window is their limited view of the outside world unless they are acquitted.
the solitary cell with the squatting toilet bowl. notice there is no flush inside the cell. its when you even lose the right to flush away your own crap. they simply didnt want the prisoners to have any sort of tool or means to threaten themselves.
the interview room for last min prepping.
the steep stairs leading to the court. very steep so its nt easy to esape. the prisoners will prob fall when they run or sth.
all the funiture still intact.
the simple ceiling cos during the construction of the supreme court, there was a bit of a credit crunch.
the black tiles are actually rubber tiles produced in malaya at that time to reduce the noise from the heels.
the rotanda library which was subsequently converted to the police post as it became too small to house all the books! before there was even air con, they develop this method to have cool air in the room with the concept that hot air rises so there are vents at the leg area for cool air! how smart!
The chief justice chamber where he meets the lawyers in private. dont you think its such an interesting table? thats the only table of its kind in the entire supreme court. i can picture the then chief justice yung pang how sitting here scolding the lawyers.
and we are at the balcony of the supreme courts where the leaders can watch the padang's national day happening once every five years! its such an honour to be up there! i remember theres a picture of the late Mrs Kwa Geok Choo standing there looking on as her husband give his speech during a national day. if you notice when you walk/drive past, the lady of justice statue above is not blindfolded like those in american courts!
onward to court 1! the biggest court in the supreme court building. it was CJ Yung that dismiss the requirement to wear the wigs and black cape like we see in the HK drama. Singapore's court appeal is also the final verdict and no longer is one able to appeal to the Queens Court in UK now.
The stand where the suspect sit while hearing their own defense. see the pole on the ground, its meant to hook their leg cuffs onto.
the seat where the judge will be, the design is so as to minimise any loss in transmission and serves to allow the judge to hear well.
Finally the cornerstone at the entrance where a time capsule lies to be opened 900 years from now! =)