Si Peh Pai Tan? Ask him how many million $ per year the PAP govt paid him?
http://www.todayonline.com/Singapor...t-two-years-of-my-life--Former-AG-Walter-Woon
They were the longest two years of my life: Former AG Walter Woon
by Leong Wee Keat
05:55 AM Apr 13, 2010
SINGAPORE - He might have spent nine years as the Republic's envoy to several European states, but the last two as the Attorney-General (AG) felt "the longest" of his life.
It was not a role Professor Walter Woon had "sought", either, but one he took on because he was "asked to do the job".
"I thought I wasn't even in the running ... I was honoured to serve, especially with the great team I had in Chambers," Prof Woon said as his eyes reddened, his bond with his legal officers the personal highlight of his time as AG.
While calling him a "reluctant" AG was too strong a description, he said in his one-on-one exit interviews yesterday with the media, he admitted to being "not a confrontational person by nature" - had he been, he would have made his "millions" in private practice.
Notwithstanding his personality, Prof Woon, who completed his term last Saturday, was not averse to being outspoken in some debates that made headlines - for example the Tang Wee Sung kidney-for-sale case where he forcefully stated that "everyone, rich or poor, is obliged to comply with the law".
While some argued that the Public Prosecutor should have exercised mercy on a sick man, Prof Woon felt that Tang's lies in a statutory declaration about buying a kidney "was an assault on our basic foundation of law". "You can't lie on oath," he said.
Clearing up misconceptions on such issues and explaining the role of the AG's Chambers was one area on which he spent considerable time and effort during his two years.
Prof Woon made it a point, after he took over, to have more interactions through the media and with various stakeholders.
And while he had not intended to step on toes, he felt "it was inevitable". Asked if he ruffled any feathers within the Government, Prof Woon replied: "I wouldn't be surprised. But you shouldn't ask me, you should ask them."
'We take the risk if ...'
Prof Woon said public interest reigned when it came to criminal prosecution. Laying out the principles guiding criminal prosecution here, he said the Prosecutor has to be convinced "beyond reasonable doubt" of an offence.
Then, the Prosecutor has to consider if the facts of the case - such as witnesses' statements, polygraph tests and accused previous criminal antecedent - "would stick".
"If you cannot prove it (the case), do we take the risk? That depends on how serious of a threat the accused is to the public," Prof Woon said.
"If he's a serial rapist and molester, we take the risk and try to convince the court with what we have."
Senior Counsel Sundaresh Menon, currently a managing partner in the Big Four law firm of Rajah & Tann, will take over the post on Oct 1 for an initial term of two years. In the interim six months, Solicitor-General Koh Juat Jong will act as AG, making her the first woman to hold the post for an extended period.
But should an AG have his tenure extended beyond the current two years, say, so as to fully implement his plans before leaving?
Prof Woon felt it was "not an unusual thing" and noted that previous AGs had also served under two-year tenures - although the likes of Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong, for example, served for 14 years
For himself, he said: "It has been the longest two years of my life. If you really like the job, want the job, maybe two years is too short. But thank you, two years is enough for me."
On a personal note, Prof Woon said his two sons - both bonded to the Government - are set to join the legal service.
"As long as I'm AG, there's always bound to be criticism that they're benefiting from this. So, now that I'm out, what can people say?"
He will return to the National University of Singapore's Law Faculty, where he hopes to teach company and criminal law.
While he is open to appearing in court in civil matters, he has promised his former prosecutors he would not appear against them.
"I believe the system is robust enough ... we try as far as possible not to drag people into court."
http://www.todayonline.com/Singapor...t-two-years-of-my-life--Former-AG-Walter-Woon
They were the longest two years of my life: Former AG Walter Woon
by Leong Wee Keat
05:55 AM Apr 13, 2010
SINGAPORE - He might have spent nine years as the Republic's envoy to several European states, but the last two as the Attorney-General (AG) felt "the longest" of his life.
It was not a role Professor Walter Woon had "sought", either, but one he took on because he was "asked to do the job".
"I thought I wasn't even in the running ... I was honoured to serve, especially with the great team I had in Chambers," Prof Woon said as his eyes reddened, his bond with his legal officers the personal highlight of his time as AG.
While calling him a "reluctant" AG was too strong a description, he said in his one-on-one exit interviews yesterday with the media, he admitted to being "not a confrontational person by nature" - had he been, he would have made his "millions" in private practice.
Notwithstanding his personality, Prof Woon, who completed his term last Saturday, was not averse to being outspoken in some debates that made headlines - for example the Tang Wee Sung kidney-for-sale case where he forcefully stated that "everyone, rich or poor, is obliged to comply with the law".
While some argued that the Public Prosecutor should have exercised mercy on a sick man, Prof Woon felt that Tang's lies in a statutory declaration about buying a kidney "was an assault on our basic foundation of law". "You can't lie on oath," he said.
Clearing up misconceptions on such issues and explaining the role of the AG's Chambers was one area on which he spent considerable time and effort during his two years.
Prof Woon made it a point, after he took over, to have more interactions through the media and with various stakeholders.
And while he had not intended to step on toes, he felt "it was inevitable". Asked if he ruffled any feathers within the Government, Prof Woon replied: "I wouldn't be surprised. But you shouldn't ask me, you should ask them."
'We take the risk if ...'
Prof Woon said public interest reigned when it came to criminal prosecution. Laying out the principles guiding criminal prosecution here, he said the Prosecutor has to be convinced "beyond reasonable doubt" of an offence.
Then, the Prosecutor has to consider if the facts of the case - such as witnesses' statements, polygraph tests and accused previous criminal antecedent - "would stick".
"If you cannot prove it (the case), do we take the risk? That depends on how serious of a threat the accused is to the public," Prof Woon said.
"If he's a serial rapist and molester, we take the risk and try to convince the court with what we have."
Senior Counsel Sundaresh Menon, currently a managing partner in the Big Four law firm of Rajah & Tann, will take over the post on Oct 1 for an initial term of two years. In the interim six months, Solicitor-General Koh Juat Jong will act as AG, making her the first woman to hold the post for an extended period.
But should an AG have his tenure extended beyond the current two years, say, so as to fully implement his plans before leaving?
Prof Woon felt it was "not an unusual thing" and noted that previous AGs had also served under two-year tenures - although the likes of Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong, for example, served for 14 years
For himself, he said: "It has been the longest two years of my life. If you really like the job, want the job, maybe two years is too short. But thank you, two years is enough for me."
On a personal note, Prof Woon said his two sons - both bonded to the Government - are set to join the legal service.
"As long as I'm AG, there's always bound to be criticism that they're benefiting from this. So, now that I'm out, what can people say?"
He will return to the National University of Singapore's Law Faculty, where he hopes to teach company and criminal law.
While he is open to appearing in court in civil matters, he has promised his former prosecutors he would not appear against them.
"I believe the system is robust enough ... we try as far as possible not to drag people into court."
