Author: Ronald JJ Wong

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TOGI: The Origins of Bak Chang – Dialects, Diaspora, Dragons, Qu Yuan Myths and Glutinous Rice

The Odd Gratuitous Inquiry (TOGI): The Origins of Bak Chang - Dialects, Diaspora, Dragons, Qu Yuan Myths and Glutinous Rice

The Odd Gratuitous Inquiry (TOGI) is a podcast where I’ll investigate unnecessary questions and speculate answers no one asked for.

The Odd Gratuitous Inquiry (TOGI) podcast
The Odd Gratuitous Inquiry (TOGI) podcast

In this inaugural episode (which you may listen to on Anchor, Spotify and other platforms), we dive into the origins of bak chang (also known as zongzi 粽子) and explore the diverse Chinese dialect variations and the diaspora who eat it. Is the Qu Yuan origin story truth or myth? Are there other cultures which have similar food?

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did researching and making it! If you’ve suggestions for topics, or wish to share your thoughts about the podcast, feel free to let me know! Do like and follow, thanks!

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Insights into the Honourable Justice Chan Seng Onn

Singapore Law; Legal; Lawyer

Justice Chan Seng Onn was the judge who acquitted the foreign domestic worker Ms Parti Liyani of stealing items allegedly belonging to a Karl Liew.

In this piece, I set out some interesting facts about, and insights from, Chan J extracted from an interview with him done by some students several years ago.

Did you know that he was a top A level student along with George Yeo and Teo Chee Hean; he was a President’s Scholar and studied and worked as an engineer before switching mid-career to law?

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Case: Paulus Tannos v Heince Tombak Simanjuntak and others [2020] SGCA 85 – majority of Court of Appeal refused recognition of foreign bankruptcy order due to breach of natural justice

Singapore Law; Legal; Lawyer

Significance: In a rare split decision, the majority of the Court of Appeal (Sundaresh Menon CJ and Tay Yong Kwang JA; Woo Bih Li J dissenting) refused recognition of foreign bankruptcy order due to breach of natural justice.

The majority found that the evidence did not prove that:

(i) notices of the bankruptcy application in Indonesia were properly served on the appellants;

(ii) the appellants had actual knowledge of the bankruptcy proceedings but chose not to appear in them.

The appellants were thus deprived of the opportunity to challenge validity of service or liability under the guarantees and object to the making of the bankruptcy orders.

The Court left open the issue of the correctness of the legal principles on recognition of foreign bankruptcy orders: at [22].

Supreme Court case summary found here.

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Case: Sandy Island Pte Ltd v Thio Keng Thay [2020] SGCA 86 – defects liability clause does not extinguish rights to claim damages in common law

Singapore Law; Legal; Lawyer

Significance: Singapore Court of Appeal held that unless there are clear words or strong implication from express words in the contract, a defects liability clause in a property construction or development contract does not cause the owner/employer to lose its right to claim damages at common law for defects.

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Original Song: Kingfisher lyrics

Kingfisher by Ronald JJ Wong

In an uncertain time of lockdowns, social disconnection, virus contagion, and economic troubles, to live at all is a daunting challenge. To give life and raise a child in such times is a frightful responsibility. This song is a love letter from me as a parent to my firstborn child to not only survive, but to thrive, by living courageously on the power of hope, faith, and love. 

Listen to the song at the platforms found here.

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Case: Public Prosecutor v Jurong Country Club and another appeal [2019] SGHC 150 – High Court considers factors to determine whether employee or independent contractor

Significance: Singapore High Court considers factors to determine whether a person was engaged as an employee or independent contractor for purposes of the Central Provident Fund Act (CPFA).

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