Singapore's fine reputation enhanced
October 14th 2008 14:38
They say of Singapore that it is a fine place. They have a fine for everything.
It became famous for fining people for incorrect disposal of chewing gum, but that fine became extinct in 1992 when Singapore placed a blanket ban on the importation of gum. Chewing gum smugglers (gum runners?) can be gaoled for 12 months and fined US$5,500.
You'd think this highly developed fine culture would keep the courts busy, but not so busy, it seems, that a Singapore judge can't spot a new fine opportunity when she sees one.
The new opportunity spotted recently by the legal-eagle-eyed judge was a T-shirt bearing a kangaroo dressed in a judge's gown. Three identical T-shirts on three different people, in fact. They were sitting in the visitor's gallery of the court watching a political debate masquerading as a legal proceeding.
Her Honour took offence. The three have been charged with contempt of court. This was announced yesterday (October 14) by Singapore's Attorney-General, who said the men had "scandalised the Singapore judiciary".
That will teach them to live in such a fine place.
It became famous for fining people for incorrect disposal of chewing gum, but that fine became extinct in 1992 when Singapore placed a blanket ban on the importation of gum. Chewing gum smugglers (gum runners?) can be gaoled for 12 months and fined US$5,500.
You'd think this highly developed fine culture would keep the courts busy, but not so busy, it seems, that a Singapore judge can't spot a new fine opportunity when she sees one.
The new opportunity spotted recently by the legal-eagle-eyed judge was a T-shirt bearing a kangaroo dressed in a judge's gown. Three identical T-shirts on three different people, in fact. They were sitting in the visitor's gallery of the court watching a political debate masquerading as a legal proceeding.
Her Honour took offence. The three have been charged with contempt of court. This was announced yesterday (October 14) by Singapore's Attorney-General, who said the men had "scandalised the Singapore judiciary".
That will teach them to live in such a fine place.
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