IN wrapping up the debate, Law Minister K Shanmugam said:

'With five minutes to 5pm, I might as well touch on what Dr Teo said about lawyers.

'It might provide some light relief to the House.

'When you were speaking, I was reminded of a survey that was done in the US on professions, on which are considered the most respected and which least respected.

'It went like this:

'Third from bottom were used car salesmen.

'Second from bottom were politicians.

'And at the bottom were lawyers.

'So I leave that to you... Let the lawyer politicians here decide where they belong.'

This article was first published in The New Paper on Aug 27, 2008.