The Attorney-General has applied to the High Court for contempt proceedings to be instituted against three individuals who scandalised the Singapore judiciary by publicly wearing identical white T-shirts, imprinted with a palm-sized picture of a kangaroo dressed in a judge’s gown.
S’pore Government statement (The Canberra Times)
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Does this mean it is ok to wear T-shirts with just the Kangaroo on it ?
Many Australia-bought T-shirts shows a Kangaroo. Likewise Zoos sell T-shirts with Kangaroo also.
Is Kangaroo by itself a Taboo ?
What happens if activists wear kangaroo t-shirts to voice up for the plight of say Kangaroos?
This must be another way to waste tax payer money again.
Indeed, this make the courts looked really like K-courts.
2) Joe on October 15th, 2008 10.46 am
They have the “free” resources at their disposal to go all out just to prove their point and to prove how wrong you are. They know they have nothing to lose. It’s taxpayers’ money to punish another group of taxpayers.
Never mind, what they are doing is going against the grain of new thinking. They are going to incur a lot of unnecessary resources (you tend to be more liberal if it is not your own resources) fending off disagreements at both local and international levels.
At the end of the day, it will be pyrrhic victory because certain collective perception against them will stilll hold – perhaps not openly but deep in each of the heart of most people.
No big deal, the most 10 days jail. worth it. I thought the govt under the new PM is more open, and can accept criticism but sad to say this kacang puteh thing, if in US or Taiwan, the govt just don’t take it seriously, but in Singland, no joke it is a very very serious issue, the govt will collapse if more and more people wearing Kangaroo T shirt.. The ministers will not get 3.8 million per annum if it collapses because of the animal kangaroo
By the way, lawyers’ gowns also look like judges’ gowns. Are you sure the kangoroos were wearing judges’ gowns??
Is the government discriminate against kangaroo ? What a insult to Australia.
how about organising a ‘wear kangaroo-in-judge’s-gown ‘T-shirt day?
no need to gather as a group, just wear the T-shirt wherever you are.
perhaps they just can’t stand pple using animal cause some of them have surname or name with cow, horse, dragon and the list goes on…….
Anyone good at drawing a ‘kangaroo-in-judge’s-gown’ picture?
We can use it to produce pins, patches, iron-ons, badges, bookmarks, car decals etc.
Heck, we may even have a new opposition party carrying the symbol.
Intimidation is not a useful tactic in promoting the Singapore Judiciary as a competent, transparent and independent organisation.
#7.
Lucky the three of them chose a kangaroo.
Imagine if it was a dragon in judge’s gown.
The dragon surely won’t let such an opportunity to make more money go by him.
Hilarious timing on WSPA’s ad in The Canberra Times’s ad. It doesn’t come out every time, you can see it here:
http://s388.photobucket.com/albums/oo321/roobear2008/
Original article from
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/judiciary-hopping-mad-over-roo-suits/1333612.aspx
i also want a kangaroo t-shirt now.
I suggest we all just wear plain kangaroo without the judge’s gown so that we won’t get into trouble.
Organize a kangaroo day and everyone just wear kangaroo that day everywhere we go.
In such case, I would still like to see what kind of reason they can come up with to sue us for wearing kangaroo.
If really can’t wear kangaroo, we should change to other blood-suckers animals such as leeches, vampire bats, or even the alleged blood-sucking Chupacabra.
Free publicity for making sure more people know what a kangaroo court behaves. A court with a political agenda. 3 T-Shirts was all it took. World class!
Wat a joke!!! World class country!!! REally cannot stand them anymore! This hand they said they will “open” up, the other hand they sue you for doing small “open: things. Same old style….not tired har….
All are from the same hole…some MP said US won’t affect Singapore economy, some other said US will serious hit our economy…really treat us like a fool!
Perhaps next time should wear t-shirt with Ah Mengs photo. For sure get sued! Cos they will say we call them or think of them as monkeys! Aonther world class for Singapore . Hooray!
Why must they be so jumpy and uptight about everything lol?
gemami on October 15th, 2008 12.40 pm
“how about organising a ‘wear kangaroo-in-judge’s-gown ‘T-shirt day?
no need to gather as a group, just wear the T-shirt wherever you are.”
Im totally for it!! Where can I get one? Let’s make it a latest Singapore fab!
Just shameful… you would think with all the money they get from defamation suits to “maintain their reputation”/safeguard face, that they would all look like Jocelyn Wildenstein by now…
Any dragon image to the Chinese means the emperor and healone is entitled to wear dragon’s robe, if my Chinese history is right.
But, dragon to certain Christians means satan. Objects that have dragons are considered taboo if my Christian knowledge is right.
Now, an image of kangaroo is also a taboo in Singapore and can get one fined because obviously the Singapore Court take this image to be something offensive.
What I am trying to say is that we are obviously very narrow-minded and are unwilling to accommodate differences or opinions.
Very, very sad indeed!!!!!
“Why must they be so jumpy and uptight about everything lol?”
Don’t blame the gov, they are just protecting their Kangaroo brand and image. Seem like they are collecting royalities from those using Kangaroo symbol without permission and license. Although paltry, it still money in helping to recoup loss in frailing banks.
I support the government in arresting those SDP supporters if these SDP members infringe on the copyright/trademark of the Kangaroo. I agree that by wearing T-shirt with kangaroo, they are actually tarnishing the reputation of the gov. Until the SDP supporters can uphold the image and behaviour of our Kangaroo, they are not worthy of becoming one.
By the way, since when kangaroo is officially related and endorsed by government ? How come it is not reported in MSM about this endorsement ? Did they ask permission explicitly from Australia ?
Can gov tell us which animals are protected and represented by the government so that we do not infringe on their copyright anymore ?
Why must we always live in Fear of not only breaking the state law, but also break state copyright as well ?
Look like Singapore is becoming a difficult place to live.
We can present all IBA representatives with a kangaroo T-shirt and suggest they wear them. It would be absolutely hilarious if they wear it when giving a report on the Singapore judiciary.
#13
- you’re right, better just wear plain kangaroo without the judge’s gown so that we won’t get into trouble . . . but we must somehow create uniformity and plublicity for the brotherhood/sisterhood of togetherness.
we need a standard picture of a kangaroo and preferably a catch phrase to go along with it.
any suggestions out there?
Talk some more, they start to ban all products and services that bears the kangaroo image, mati lah. . .cannot go to visit my aussie friend no more leh.
Anyone selling? I like to avoid buying from them that why i asking. ;P
seriously , i mean is it a CRIME to sell t-shirts with say, a cute little baby kangaroo ?
i mean is it a CRIME to wear one like this?
Why I suddenly interested in this kind of t-shirt? oh, the media has made me feel that this T-shirt is fashionable leh!!!
in the name of self-preservation, i think not buying now…
A Kangaroo court:
A self-appointed tribunal that violates established legal procedure; also, a dishonest or incompetent court of law. For example, The rebels set up a kangaroo court and condemned the prisoners to summary execution.
That judge runs a kangaroo court he tells rape victims they should have been more careful. This expression is thought to liken the jumping ability of kangaroos to a court that jumps to conclusions on an invalid basis. [Mid-1800s].
kangaroo tee shirt must have a dead kangaroo lying on the ground and a bolt of lightning that strikes his heart . . . or . . .
a fierce looking kangaroo (preferably white in colour) with a bolt of lightning in his hands getting ready to strike . . .
“i mean is it a CRIME to sell t-shirts with say, a cute little baby kangaroo ?”
Make sure it is not as cute as our world-class Kangaroo.
Why not send your kangaroo shirt to MDA for approval and censorship first ? I think Kangaroo symbol and picture is under Media category and therefore should fall under jurdistiction of MDA.
26) Daniel on October 15th, 2008 4.48 pm
—————————————————————
Allow me to clarify your doubt Daniel.
I am sure wearing a kangaroo t-shirt is ok. I saw a guy wearing a made-in-australia kangaroo t-shirt the other day and he went into a gubbymen building and came out alive.
but for now, we should avoid wearing kangaroo wearing a shirt kind of thingie and thongs. to some people that is sensitive thingie.
maybe all 1st world gubbymenses all like that wan.
u belief ah? ;)
Wow,
Kangaroo got sued also huh?
It is worst than Chairman Mao. Or may be he had migrated to Singapore already.
Speaking about political figure was termed as slandering and defamation so got sued. But now don’t speak and wearing Kangaroo T-Shirt is also can get sued. Aiyo! how to live like that lah.
Didn’t I warn you guys of the Speakers Corner? I warned that that “if it was too good to be true , it was.’ It was a trap. It was to draw you guys into the open.There is no sincerity. it is sham. Remember to take it with a pinch of salt and chilli padi every time these people tell you.Tread carefully.
Kangaroo court with kangaroos in roo language. Need to stand by a lot of loos
We should wear white elephant shirt to court, all these judges are CBL, paid in millions and do bidding of ONE. Shame on these self righteous judges. To even wan to sue the three SDP supporters because they wore shirts that is eye sore to the ONE and them doesn’t make a case to use public money (tax payers money) to pursue the case. Tell the ONE to pay his own court fees to pursue it, dun get a puppet judge to do it for him.
We are a world class Kangaroo Zoo, we have highly paid kangaroos whom can do all kinds of tricks and earn lots of lots of money. A great sucker punch for all opposition too. Come see them perform, admission is free.
FG
Are this the list of banned animal/symbol that cannot be shown in public ?
Monkey – some clown once says certain party look like monkey dropping out of tree, which prove to be the other way.
White Elephant – Shown around MRT and endup in police’s case
Kangaroo – the hot animal of the day.
Snake – double-head snake, Singapore politics is full of double-head snakes. story of Lim Chin Siong clearly show that.
Orang Utan – Some old fart bear a striking resemblance to this almost extinct animal.
Are there more to come ?
Dogs don’t count because there are so many running dogs doing tricks and errands for the ruling party.
Actually I like the orang utan but we can see how dangerous it can be when it looks, walks, speaks, dresses like a human and actually outsmart all of us.
Shall we propose and vote for the orang utan to be our national icon ?
If the shoes , or in this case the T-shirt fit, wear it. By charging the people over such trivial incident, it just shows they are admitting to what they were perceived
to be. The more the Govt says they are opening up, the more their actons seem
to show otherwise
Kangaroo Court? What really is it?
Check it out at http://www.answers.com/topic/kangaroo-court
What a priceless education into the etymology of words. Now that I know its precise root meaning, it has kept me thinking . . . .and processing . . . . and evaluating. No wonder they are hopping mad!
Google “Singapore Asian Values” or “Asian Values” and you will understand why things are why they are.
blowme,
Yeah, I forget about running dogs ! How can I be so senile like the old fart now ? Must be the disease of ruling party which cause me to have amnesia (MSM always move on to issue without solving and monitoring them as long as it reflects badly on its paymaster). Some fat dogs are guarding our reserves unfortunately these dogs are only loyal to certain orang utan.
anyway citizen is no way better because the animal to represent them is chicken and that includes me. Can scream and whin in a cage only.
Citizens is also represented by mudskippers because they get to eat the shit created by elite investing in ivory tower.
http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:WJyrH3NceTL47M:http://i1.treknature.com/photos/320/bsmudskipper.jpg
Opps… no wonder the kangaroos always kick the chickens and sent them to lalaland.
So many fabulous animals in Singapore and no need to visit Mandai Zoo anymore.
“By charging the people over such trivial incident, it just shows they are admitting to what they were perceived to be.”
Don’t blame them. They are just upholding some kangaroo values least some people broke them. These values are important to keep the kangaroos fit and healthy with the best nourishment. So let’s not be overwhelming critical. I don’t want daughter and wife to become maids so let us feed them more millions.
“And now this admonition is for you, O priests. If you do not listen, and if you do not set your heart to honor my name,” says the LORD Almighty, “I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not set your heart to honor me.
The lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek instruction—because he is the messenger of the LORD Almighty. But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi,” says the LORD Almighty.
So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law.” Malachi 2:2, 7-8
Instead of spending more time cracking out their brains to rescue the economy during this worst financial crisis, they prefer to waste their time playing with these 3 kangaroo clowns. What are the taxpayers monies’ for? Can I ask? playing monopoly or scribble games? I just could not imagine we taxpayers pay millions and millions to all these goondoos up there just to do all these stupid things and tarnish our singaporean image throughout the entire world. Its shocking to see this issue is now floating throughout the entire world medias headlines and making us a laughing stock. I just can’t imagine how shameful the government has cost to all the singaporeans now.
I think respect for the judiciary is derived from the people’s perception that the judiciary is fair and sensible in not making a mountain out of a molehill.
Personally, I would think it self-defeating for the court to protect its “integrity” in such a manner. A court of decorum would never stoop to such tit-for-tat behaviour. It is common wisdom that we do not command respect by being reactive; we garner respect by handling situations in a composed yet firm manner.
In today’s world, you do not instill respect. You win respect. An inevitable victorous outcome for the court can only be seen as a pyrrhic victory. The AG is inadvertedly finishing off the political credibility of the court.
What a blatant waste of taxpayer’s monies against fellow citizen taxpayers.
How about a monkey, elephant, okapi, turtle or double headed snake in the same attire?
No matter what symbol, or number of people wearing it may it be 3, 30, or 3000, the money / effort spent on such legal proceedings would be better off helping the less fortunate tide over these hard times.
“Your father made life hard for us—worked our fingers to the bone. Give us a break; lighten up on us and we’ll willingly serve you.”
King Rehoboam talked it over with the elders who had advised his father when he was alive: “What’s your counsel? How do you suggest that I answer the people?”
They said, “If you will be a servant to this people, be considerate of their needs and respond with compassion, work things out with them, they’ll end up doing anything for you.”
But he rejected the counsel of the elders and asked the young men he’d grown up with who were now currying his favor, “What do you think? What should I say to these people who are saying, ‘Give us a break from your father’s harsh ways—lighten up on us’?”
The young turks he’d grown up with said, “These people who complain, ‘Your father was too hard on us; lighten up’—well, tell them this: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist. If you think life under my father was hard, you haven’t seen the half of it. My father thrashed you with whips; I’ll beat you bloody with chains!’”
Rehoboam turned a deaf ear to the people. God was behind all this, confirming the message that he had given . . . . . When all Israel realized that the king hadn’t listened to a word they’d said, they stood up to him and said, Get lost, David! We’ve had it with you, son of Jesse! Let’s get out of here and fast! From now on, David, mind your own business.
And with that they left. Rehoboam continued to rule only those who lived in the towns of Judah.
When King Rehoboam next sent out Adoniram, head of the workforce, the Israelites ganged up on him, pelted him with stones, and killed him. King Rehoboam jumped in his chariot and escaped to Jerusalem as fast as he could. Israel has been in rebellion against the Davidic dynasty ever since. 2 Chronicle 10
The tagline of the shirt can be
Once you hop, you can’t stop
Can we have kangaroos wearing a white suit or a poodle uniform then?
Alex,
The courts should not engage in such warfare, because the image of the judiciary is supposed to remain above all conflicts.
Whatś new?
39) Alex on October 15th, 2008 10.25 pm
In today’s world, you do not instill respect. You win respect.
“In today’s world . . . ” . . . sigh! . . . since when the pap has been ‘in today’s world?’. from the way business is conducted to the amount they are being paid, they were never from ‘today’s’ world right from the start.
They have been out of this world for the longest time and they want us to live like them – out of this world? how to?
Because we cannot, they have resorted to instilling fear while demanding respect . . .
43) Komenos – Once you hop, you can’t stop
hahahahahahaha !!!! – my belly aches ……….. good one.
46) great t-shirt material – fantastic!
If Walter was wrong in his judgement, who can hold him back?
Hmmmm – scary thought isn’t it? I mean, no one can touch him??