Brothers Darrell and Hansel Cheong were respectively the second and third recipients of the Society’s Bar Memorial Scholarship for 2006. The first scholarship for that year was awarded in April.

Darrell and Hansel are the sons of the late Mr Cheong Kok Fu who was a member of the Society. The Bar Memorial Scholarship was founded by members of the Singapore Bar in memory of their members who perished in the First World War from 1914 to 1918. The scholarship, which is an annual award of a maximum sum of $5,000, is awarded to a Singapore citizen who has obtained admission or is taking any full-time course of study in any institution of higher learning in Singapore, and is the child of an employee of any organisation connected with the legal profession in Singapore.

The scholarship was presented to Darrell and Hansel by Law Society President Mr Philip Jeyaretnam, SC at a ceremony at the Society on 27 September 2006.

Darrell, 22, said he came to know about the scholarship when shortly after his father’s passing, his mother came to the Society to settle his father’s matters pertaining to his law practice, and then CEO, Ms Yasho Dhoraisingam, told her about the scholarship. It was timely, as the family was facing a difficult period adjusting to their loss. Darrell added that the whole application process was very smooth, as they just had to complete the relevant forms and submit the supporting documents. Before long, the Society came back with the good news that their scholarship applications had been successful.

Said Hansel, 21, ‘It feels good to receive this scholarship as it covers a good portion of our school fees and lessens the burden on our mum.’ Darrell chimed in, ‘Yes, the money will certainly tide us over this difficult time, otherwise we might have to take up part-time jobs to supplement the tuition fees.’ Darrell is in his second year of Business Management studies at the Singapore Management University, while Hansel is a first year Business Administration undergraduate at the National University of Singapore. They have a younger brother who is in junior college.

When asked if they feel any extra pressure to perform well in their studies now that they have obtained the scholarship, the brothers replied that naturally there would be an expectation for them to get good grades but they see the scholarship as an incentive that spurs them to do better. Said Darrell, ‘Yes, I feel I need to turn in good grades to justify the scholarship, but it’s just something at the back of my mind. I prefer to focus on one thing at a time and will certainly strive to do the best I can.’

The brothers seem determined to carve a good future for themselves, with Darrell setting his sights on becoming an investment banker, while Hansel professes an interest in human resource management.

They shared the advice that their mother had given them prior to their coming to receive the scholarship. Said Darrell, ‘Mum says I must remember what others have done for me and when I finally have the means, I must repay them, but for now, I must concentrate on getting there.’ Added Hansel, ‘Mum says whatever we do, we mustn’t disgrace our dad.’

All signs certainly point to these two steady and mature young men heeding these words and doing both parents proud. We wish them every success.

Sharmaine Lau

The Law Society of Singapore


To find out more about the Law Society’s Bar Memorial Scholarship, visit our web portal www.lawsociety.org.sg and select ‘Membership Services’ from the left hand menu bar, or contact our Communications Department at communications@lawsoc.org.sg or call 6530 0238.