Fiery and funny exchanges

The Committee of Inquiry (COI) has heard from 73 witnesses since the hearing began on Feb 19, including eight who took the stand last Friday.

Here are some of their exchanges with the committee:

GO AWAY!

COI chairman G. Pannir Selvam to court interpreter: Does he remember me talking to him?

Restaurant owner in Little India: I cannot remember.

Mr Selvam: I came to your shop, and I met you, and then you said: "The police have spoken to me already, you go away."

Restaurant owner: Yes, I remember now.

Mr Selvam: He now remembers?

Court interpreter: He remembers.

State Counsel John Lu to the restaurant owner: You are not in any trouble, I hope.

GOODY TWO-SHOES

COI member John De Payva: Are you aware (if your bus timekeepers) have been rude, that they have gone on to racial lines?

Singapore School Transport Association chairman Wong Ann Lin: No, no, no.

Mr De Payva: They have used vulgarity in their language?

Mr Wong: No.

Mr De Payva: You are not aware?

Mr Wong: We are not aware, and we didn't get any feedback about this.

Mr De Payva: So, your timekeepers will tell you they are all goody two-shoes?

Mr Wong: Yes, yes, yes.

TWO TIGHT SLAPS

Mr Selvam to a chef from another restaurant in Little India: Do you have any other suggestions or recommendations which you would like to bring to the committee?

Restaurant chef: In my opinion, if the police spot any person who is a troublemaker, I think the police should catch hold of the person, give him two tight slaps and impose a certain fine or penalty or maybe take him away for one day, and then release him at a later point in time.

Such an act will deter others from creating any trouble in the future.

So, right now, there is no one who is scared there in Little India...

The laws in Singapore are very strict, but then together with the laws, the police should also become more strict and firm in dealing with such situations.

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