Reviews

1. I feel that the punishment is fair. Stealing a loaded rifle from Mandai Camp, is a very serious and wrong thing to do. I have no idea how he did it, and why he is even able to do it. Aren't the rifles kept and taken after? But, that's beside the point. He had the intention of killing people with the rifle. It's not just one, but five innocent people, just because he hated them. With this life-threatening weapon out there, many lifes are dangered. I'm relieved that no lives had been lost at the end.

Indeed, a soldier protecting his own country, is now becoming a threat instead. This in fact has tarnished the reputation of the armed forces.

However, after reading about his family background, and reasons for his actions, I can't help but feel sympathetic for him. I do not entirely blame him for his actions, but I really want to point out that his neglecting family members are probably one of the main reasons as to why he's become like this. His dad was often in jail, his mum abused him for no reasons, he was later abandoned by mum, and worse come to worst, his younger brother died in a traffic accident. It's not difficult to see that he's gone through a lot of misery, especially at such a young age. I really feel sorry for him. He can actually be a good guy after all, because he still cares a lot for his grandmother and younger brother. Mr Liew also liked and trusted him. But losing his girlfriend probably was the last straw.

I really hope that this 9 years and 2 months' jail, with 18 strokes of the cane, can allow him to repent and start all over again. I am truly touched to see what Justice Tay Yong Kwang had said to him. I have no choice but to really agree that it's sad that such a young man had to go through his best years behind bars. He could have gotten a more severe punishment, but I'm glad that he didn't have it in the end. I guess all of us hope that he can spend his life more wisely, and come out a better man. I wish him all the best.

Still, I still do not understand why his mother and sister left after he was seen gesturing to them. I wonder how hurt Dave was. He still acknowledges them despite all the abuse he'd gotten. & They just left! I really begin to realise the great responsibility of the parents in bringing up their children. Sometimes it's not the exactly the children's fault, but rather, the parents' instead.

2. First of all, I feel that sale of organ is more about helping one another? Think, if you need an organ urgently, 'cause it's a matter of life and death if you don't have it, and none of your family members have the suitable one for you, how depressed do you feel? That's probably why there is even such a thing as sale of organ. Because it's faster to search for a suitable donor and you do not have to die while waiting for one. But I remember last time it used to be donation of organs?

Anyway, for sale of organ to be legalised, it must be ensured that it does not endangers the life of both parties. Of course, it is important that the sale of organ can only be executed, only if somebody needs it. It shouldn't be done, for unsuitable purposes such as selling for money. The paper mentioned that poor labourers and farmers were duped into parting with their kidneys for 10,000 to 20,000 rupees each, and that the organs were then sold for 1.5 million to 2million rupees. This serves as a reminder, that the person selling his or her organ, should know who it is for. Otherwise, they will be losing one of their organs, for nothing. Do you want to lose your organ for money? Or would it be wiser the other way round?

In any case, I think it's one's personal opinion whether they think sale of organs should be legalised. For me, because it can help save lifes, and allow more people to live, therefore I agree that sale of organs should be legalised. That's if, as I emphasise, both parties does not lose anything, in terms of their health.

Pei Jun (: