Courts in Singapore come under scrutiny

An article from the International Herald Tribune putting the jurisdictory system here into question:

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/05/09/business/courts.php

And a couple of good analytical pieces by fellow bloggers here:

http://commentarysingapore.blogspot.com/
http://www.yawningbread.org/

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Now I'm generally not too keen in speculating on who or what is right in this legal wrangle; clearly, the dispute is a matter that probably involves multiple interpretations of the incidents and the final outcome will be a decision that will have far-reaching consequences within the sphere of international law (especially in the way our laws are perceived).

Now the relation between Christianity and Civil Law is an issue that many people (particularly within a secularist worldview) have attempted to discard or at least force into a peripheral existence. But if that is indeed the case, then it is useless to speak of morality or make claims to the exercise of justice (for the questions - whose justice, and according to what standards - cannot be answered).

In this case then, Singapore and her laws - despite having originated from a British system (which can be traced to her Christian origins) - is clearly premised on an ethos of a pragmatic worldview (i.e. what works, is right). Furthermore, the close conflation between the various branches of the executive, legislative and judicial system is a link that is not officially admitted, but one that is often cited by critics in their criticism of our legal system.

As I have suggested before, the only golden egg our country has on our side is our financial strength (due to the uncanny abilities of our leaders to forge, at the very minimal - paper ties - with other countries). But we are treading on very uneasy ground here, for such alliances can easily collapse into oblivion anytime, nulifying whatever treaties that have been signed.

Furthermore, the huge monopoly of power invested within the current ruling party is something that can be troubling, if one considers the understanding of human nature. As Samuel Rutherford concludes in Lex Rex, "but, if we consult with nature, many judges and governors, to fallen nature, seem nearer of blood to nature than one only; for two, because of man's weakness, are better than one".

I am not so sure what all these means, but it is evident that the upcoming four to five years (at least till the next parliamentary elections') will be an indication of how the secularist worldview plays out within the various realms of politics and law here in Singapore.