This post is not about Walter Woon. Rather its regarding how can
a former AG who prosecute people is now the appeal judge siting on
the high court hearing those very own cases he prosecuted in the
past two years? Its like you are presiding on cases that you
already been dealt with? Very strange lah…This AG to appeal judge
role change. A total conflict of interest I think.
April 9, 2008
Walter Woon to take over as A-G
By Ben Nadarajan and Chong Chee Kin
Mr Chao Hick Tin, the current AG, ends his two-year term in
office on Thursday. He returns to the judiciary as a Judge of
Appeal at the Supreme Court on Friday. —ST
PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM
SINGAPORE will get a new Attorney-General
(AG) in Professor Walter Woon Cheong Ming from Friday.
The current Solicitor-General takes over the job as the country’s
top prosecutor from Mr Chao Hick Tin, who will return to the
judiciary after a two-year tour as AG.
Prof Woon, who made his mark as a law academic, a Nominated
Member of Parliament and as an envoy before becoming
Solicitor-General, will be post-independence Singapore’s fifth
AG.
The AG’s role is to be the Government’s main legal advisor. He
also decides which criminal cases to prosecute.
Mr Chao will resume his former post as a Judge of Appeal in the
Supreme Court, making it a total of three Judges of Appeal on its
roster.
The appointments were announced on Wednesday by the President,
in concurrence with the advice of the Prime Minister.
Prof Woon’s vacated position as Solicitor-General will be filled
by Mrs Koh Kuat Jong, the current Supreme Court Registrar.
Prof Woon’s legal career began with his being called to the
Singapore Bar in 1985, four years after graduating from the
National University of Singapore’s law school with first class
honours. He also holds a masters in law with first class honours
from Cambridge.
Although credited with having written several books on law – the
one on company law makes it to the reading lists of law students
and lawyers – he has a colourful side as well, having authored
crime novels and been a top school debator.
Read the full report in Thursday’s edition of The Straits
Times.