Wee Chong Jin - Quotes

Quotes

• The qualities that one should look for in a judge are a burning desire to be fair and impartial; the courage to uphold the law and strike down injustice; compassion, coupled with an understanding of human frailties; and lastly, love for the law. -- Wee Chong Jin

• A man of few words, he nevertheless 'came down hard' if anyone deliberately or through ignorance tried to mislead the court. He loved the moot point and relished a fine argument. I remember an appeal I did for a client sentenced to six years' jail, inter alia, for importing a-go-go dancers and it was on the sole ground of misjoinder of charges. Hardly five minutes into my opening address, the 'Chief' in his usual soft, calm voice asked the Deputy Public Prosecutor if he was 'seriously' upholding the conviction. It was a rare occasion when that gentleman was bereft of words! Although he showed a somewhat stern demeanour in court, apart from his prodigious memory, he had, as others have said, a sensitive and kind heart. -- Geoffrey Abisheganaden, lawyer

• He is remembered with fondness by lawyers for his patience, tolerance and sense of fairness and justice. He has a quick grasp of the law and understands the frailty of human weakness. -- Leo Cheng Suan, Executive Committee Member, Law Society of Singapore

• We all lived with my father in his house even after we had our own apartments. It was becoming a bit of a joke, because we were already in our 30s and 40s. People tell us 'you guys should be moving out', but we loved to live there. My father was such a nice guy and we are a very closely-knit family. My father spent a lot of time at home with us. As the CJ, he had to separate the social side of things from work. He had to be a little anti-social, so that there won't be innuendoes on his impartiality. It was one of the disadvantages of the job. So we spent lots of time at home, having dinner and watching TV. -- Patrick Wee, on his father being a loving family man.

• He was never short-tempered or impatient. He was a good and loving father, who worked long hours and had no extravagant needs. ... My one favourite and recent memory is of him singing Baa Baa Black Sheep to my 18-month-old daughter, Nicole.