RS Wijaya
RS Wijaya was a very outspoken lawyer and a dedicated one. He had very strong views about the profession and lawyers and was not afraid to express them.
He also had a good sense of humour alternating between wit and jest and serious conversations. I enjoyed many tea sessions with him when we had our firms in the The Central at Eu Tong Sen Street.
Wijaya was also into running and fitness. He resides in the East around Siglap and could be seen running along Siglap Link. I once saw him running whilst I was driving, went alongside him and offered him a lift to be met with a barrage of scolding.
Wijaya was one of the very few lawyers who voluntarily came to my assistance during the Novena Church exorcism case. He became aware that I was conducting the case against a team of more than 10 lawyers and offered to sit in court beside me to assist me during the cross-examination of the psychiatric witnesses. He told me that he received brickbats from some of his law colleagues for doing so but it did not bother him. That is the Wijaya I remember and respect.
Wijaya firmly believed in his principles as a person and as a lawyer. He was always interested in the law and conversations with him would invariably involve legal arguments. He would normally stand out in a crowd of lawyers as he was unique and spoke without fear.
Wijaya was very proud of his children and his family and their achievements and would share his pride with lawyers who were his friends.
He will be dearly missed by the legal fraternity, especially by the many lawyers he interacted with. May he rest in peace.
R. S. Bajwa
Bajwa & Co
R.S Bajwa has almost 50 years of legal experience and has built a reputation in litigation, both civil and criminal. In civil cases, he has handled several notable cases such as the Novena Church exorcism case and in criminal cases, handled several gruesome murder cases which made the headlines.
An article in the Straits Times in 2021 described Bajwa as a go-to lawyer for lawyers in trouble, a reputation he earned for his successful defence of lawyers facing disciplinary proceedings. He is regularly instructed as lead counsel by several law firms. In the Novena Church case, the Learned Judge in his judgment described Bajwa as a “very competent counsel” and “had underestimated Mr Bajwa’s astuteness.”
Mr Bajwa has written a book entitled “The Honest Lawyer” which will be launched on 1 July 2025, with the proceeds of sale on launch day donated to Pro Bono SG.
