Aware saga: The other questions we have to ask

The Electric New Paper : Exchange - 27 April 2009

By Ng Tze Yong

AN army buddy called me one morning last week, proudly proclaiming: 'I'm joining Aware!'

Which was fine and good, except for one thing.

He also happens to be the biggest chee ko pek (lecherous man) I know.

Dude, I told him, you care about girls. That's not quite the same as gender rights.

We were kidding around. But the fact remains that, in the two weeks since the Aware saga started, interest has spread far beyond women, homosexuals and Christians.

Last Thursday's press conference by the new Aware exco, with its revelations of death threats, has taken things up to a whole new level.

Now, every Singaporean has a dog in this (cat)fight.

As a young Singaporean, I hear the questions of tomorrow ringing just as loudly as the questions of today.

Yes, I want to know the story behind the takeover. At the same time, I want to know:

If it's Aware today, what next tomorrow?

If it's the conservative religious versus homosexuals today, what will it be tomorrow?

And if it's online barbs, explosive press conferences and death threats today, what will we be seeing tomorrow?

How will Singaporeans register their displeasure in a future which the Government has promised to govern with a lighter touch?

However it concludes, the Aware saga reveals where the fault lines have opened up in Singapore over the past 10 years and how the power dynamics have shifted.

Did we see it coming?

On hindsight, perhaps we should have.

In the last decade, we have steadily watched the growing influence of the conservative religious and homosexuals.

We witnessed the growth of megachurches, the discovery of terrorist cells, and hints of a growing tension in the ranting of 2005's teenage racist bloggers.

At the same time, there seemed to be a growing number of homosexuals stepping out of the closet.

Many were new friends, colleagues and acquaintances. Some were also old friends.

There was a growing acceptance of them.

Last year, in the memorable debate over homosexuality in Parliament, we finally heard their growing voices.

The changes were happening all around us.

Slowly but surely, like plate tectonics, our society was evolving.

But until it all exploded with the turf war over a women's group, nobody really spoke up.

Now that the fault lines are clear, it's time to ask some serious questions, something our post-65 MPs can perhaps help with.

Did they see it coming?

Or more importantly: What is it they see coming?

We're not asking for a nanny. But at a time when young Singaporeans are grappling with the liberalisation of civic space and a globalising world, it wouldn't hurt to hear what our leaders have to say beyond repeating the same tired phrases.

Where will we go from here?

What would we have to start doing differently?

How can we pledge ourselves as one united people?

How can we disregard race, language or religion?

What is a democratic society?

What is justice and equality?

What exactly is happiness, prosperity and progress?

These are the questions we must ask, even before this catfight ends.

http://www.tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,200188,00.html?STATE_STK=100001&SUBSTATE_STK=1&NEXTSTATE=&NEXTSUBSTATE=

Keep religion above the fray of petty politics

Today Online - Monday • April 27, 2009

Vivian Balakrishnan warns of the danger of mixing the two

ZUL OTHMAN

zul@mediacorp.com.sg

THE Aware spat is not a national problem, and the Government has no intention of intervening in it, said the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan. This, even as he warns the two warring groups — the new executive committee elected this month and the Old Guard of the Association of Women for Action and Research — to “keep religion above the fray of petty politics”.

Dr Balakrishnan said it is a problem they have to solve themselves and in a democratic manner, while abiding by the constitution of Aware.

The bitter spat between the two groups has been dominating the headlines for several weeks. Members of the new Exco had said they went into Aware to bring it back to its original focus, and that is women issues, when it appeared to them that Aware had veered into supporting homosexuality. As for the Old Guard of Aware, they have questioned what they saw as the stealthy manner in which the new Exco had mounted a “coup” in the 26-year-old organisation. The sage took a sinister twist when members of the new Exco revealed death threats had even been received.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of his community visit to Nee Soon yesterday, Dr Balakrishnan said: “The most I would do at this stage is to give them some advice. Not just (to) Aware but all Singaporeans. Number one, don’t let a single issue hijack the agenda. We live in a diverse society, there will always be some issue we cannot agree on — weneed to be able to learn to live and let live, to agree to disagree and to do so agreeably.”

He also warned that no one should allow single issues to polarise and divide: “If you allow these single issues to dominate and hijack your agenda, I think you are not going succeed and it’s going to be counter productive.” 

Secondly, the minister pointed out that Singapore is a multi-religious society.

As such, he said Singaporeans should “protect and nurture” the place religion has in our society: “We don’t want our religious organisation to be damaged or compromised by the hurly-burly of politicking that happens on the ground.” 

His third piece of advice to Singaporeans out to make meaningful changes in society, is to build what he called a “rainbow coalition.” And this means ensuring representation from all the different streams and segments that constitute Singapore. 

While urging everyone not to be distracted from the long term and more important challenges facing Singapore, Dr Balakrishnan is hopeful good sense will prevail.

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/316302.asp

Aware old guard takes battle online

It sets up website while supporters start Facebook groups and petition. -myp 

my paper - Mon, Apr 27, 2009

By Rachel Chan

THE old guard and its supporters have gone online in their campaign against the recent takeover of the Association of Women for Action & Research (Aware).

In response to the unprecedented leadership fight over one of Singapore's most established civil-society groups, an online petition has been started by Dr Vivienne Wee.

She is a founding member of Aware and a former National University of Singapore sociology lecturer who resides in Hong Kong.

Titled "Save Aware! Gender equality for all!", it was put online last Wednesday on petition-hosting portal GoPetition.com - the day before lawyer Thio Su Mien, 71, revealed that she had played a key role in the Aware coup.

As of yesterday evening, the petition, which aims "to reclaim Aware as a vehicle to advance women's rights to gender equality and individual choices", had received 1,348 signatures from here and abroad.

While most of the signatures are from Singapore, quite a few come from China, Australia, Britain and the United States.

Some messages expressed encouragement for the old team while others left stronglyworded comments for their successors.

Mr Loh Ngiap Soon, a Singaporean petitioner who resides in Atlanta, Georgia, wrote that he was disappointed by the "usurpers" who "have betrayed their own motivations with their sneaky approach".

Meanwhile, there is fervent debate in various forums, such as Stomp's Talkback and HardwareZone.

Hotly-debated issues range from Aware's stand on sexuality and the religious background of four executive-committee members.

A website (we-are-aware.sg) has also been set up by the old guard, which exhorts people to sign up for membership and cast their vote of no confidence at Saturday's extraordinary general meeting.

Two new Facebook groups in support of the old guard, with a combined number of more than 2,800 members and 300 wall posts, have also surfaced.

A few, however, have advised caution for those who jumped on the anti-new guard bandwagon without understanding the full picture.

"What's wrong with you guys? I urge you to consider and think sensibly before you vote," said a Facebook user going by the name of Lee Cooper.

http://www.asiaone.com/Digital/News/Story/A1Story20090427-137663.html

Aware belongs to the women of Singapore

Today Online - Monday • April 27, 2009

Letter from Monica Wong

I am dismayed to read that Ms Josie Lau is facing such a difficult time after picking up the baton as the new president of Aware. Death threats towards her and her family are an act of cowardice.

I sympathize with the “old guards” who were ousted unexpectedly, but there is nothing wrong with the manner in which the new Exco took over control of the organization. It was entirely lawful. The “old guards” claim that they were too trusting, but why not see it as complacency?

To allow membership to drop to incredibly low levels whilst still believing that they were doing a fine job and staying relevant to society is dangerous for any organization. The fact remains that they had promoted films and put together events which did not sit well with the majority.

Complaining about the lawful replacement of the old Exco as though they had moral authority never to be ousted because of past achievements shows a lack of respect for due process. To the “old guards” I say - serve your cause well and earn the right to stay.

The “old guards” viewed the replacement of the Exco as a “seizure of power”. Obviously, they too see that the new Exco are a group with the “power” to speak up and change things. I recall that in my early 20s, Aware was aggressive and united in championing women’s issues that were reflective of the needs of women in those times - equality in the workplace and in marriage, more female students in the NUS Medicine faculty.

I hope that the new Aware can continue playing that role for Singaporean women today. That many new Exco members belong to the same church in Singapore is not an issue if the values promoted are merely reflective of those in a conservative and pro-family Asian society. In fact, I applaud Ms Josie Lau for being willing to stand for leadership despite the views of her employers as it is first and foremost a demonstration of her commitment to serving Aware's cause.

Let us not forget that there is a long road ahead.There are far more pressing challenges that require strong representation than the rights or feelings of homosexuals or having a man speak up on the affairs of women. Some examples are spousal violence, ex-husbands who repeatedly default on maintenance payments, more protection in the workplace for pregnant mothers, increasing the birthrate in Singapore and promoting strong and healthy marriages.

Precisely because of the strength of Aware in the last 25 years, there is a need to consolidate efforts to deal with these issues and not simply urge the new Exco to set up a new, parallel organization. Aware belongs not to the few who had contributed in the past, but to the women of Singapore.

The “old guards” should focus on the wood in the interest of the Aware's original motivations, and not miss them for the trees of personal vendetta. If they do a good job, nothing will stop them from winning the coveted seats in the next AGM. Similarly, if the new Exco does not perform its role well, the carpet will be pulled from under their feet.

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/316443.asp

Focus on positive contributions

Today Online - Monday • April 27, 2009

Letter from Galen Yeo

While the Press is having a field day with the Aware saga, one vital thing remains overlooked: the accomplishments of the organisation.

Ironically, while Singaporeans are more aware about Aware's name than ever before, they are none the wiser for its actual work in society.

Instead, all we read about are its alleged social transgressions, and other issues which have arisen from this episode.

Reducing Aware's contributions over the years to its debated pro-lesbian stance obscures the actual progress that it has made.

All the dirty laundry has been aired. But none of the positive aspects of Aware have come to light.

Instead of focusing on the hoopla, the Press has some responsibility to convey this accurately.

It also goes without saying that the new Exco should have at least highlighted the organisation’s past achievements as well, instead of treating the whole affair as an hostile corporate takeover.

I for one, would like to know more. 

Intolerance, not religious intolerance

Today Online - Monday • April 27, 2009

Letter from Edmund Leong Meng Tsi

Dr Vivien Balakrishnan advises Singaporeans to be an open, tolerant and mature society, to “Keep religion above the fray of ‘petty politics’” and society to build a “rainbow coalition”. (April 27).

Dr Vivien should warn against intolerance and not -like many others over the past few days- cloud the issue by bringing in religion. Our government will ban any intolerant religions and there is nothing stopping our government from doing so today, and this is clearly not the case here. Religious people in their heightened awareness of compassion tend to be most accepting of people ‘s struggle against disordered desires. Fear and worry of intolerance from truly religious people are misplaced.

Secondly, “rainbow coalition” is the euphemism for GLBT (or Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender). GLBT is liberally labeled as “alternative lifestyles” and conservatively as “disordered behavior” and form no more than 3 per cent of the population of developed countries; this is likely to be a lot less in Singapore.

GLBT have been around in the USA for decades, and despite after so many years of the of coaxing Americans to accept people with GLBT orientations, the broad majority of Americans still exhibit angst and anger. This emotions are from all Americans (not just religious Americans) and arises from the actions (not desires) of the GLBT community.

People are mainly tolerant to disordered desires but not to disordered actions, especially those at the expense of an established culture. We can tolerate and advise against one’s desire to theft and murder, but we cannot tolerate them after they act out their desires, or one’s excessive indulgence for alcohol and smoking promotes social ills. Promotion of excessiveness turns a person against themselves. This is no different for GLBT folks who choose to champion their disordered desire for love and acceptance from an ordered society. It is clear to any rational and ordered society that alternate GLBT lifestyles lack the key element for societal well-being and growth: Natural regenerative life. No society (religious or not) should tolerate actions, especially disordered and undesired actions.

Aware have already publicly announced that their aim is to help all women (regardless of race, language, religion and lifestyles) but not to the promotion of disordered behaviors, especially to impressionable young minds. What is most important is that we focus on meritocracy as there are many people (GBLTs or not) who under-perform. 

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/316421.asp

Uphold our multi-ethnic and multi-religious society

Today Online - Monday • April 27, 2009

Letter from Yap Li Gin

I am very concerned by the repeated emphasis in newspaper reports and cyberspace discussions on the religious beliefs of some of the newly appointed Aware committee members and their apparent position on homosexuality. In many articles, there is mention of how most of the new Aware members are Christians and that Dr Alan Chin has petitioned against homosexuality.

There is also an article about the religious beliefs of Mrs Claire Nazar who resigned as Aware president. Is there a discrimination of people who are against homosexuality? In Singapore, everyone is entitled to their religious views and we should respect each other’s views.

With regard to the issue of homosexuality, it has been discussed at length previously when our Government was reviewing the necessity of repealing Section 377A of the Penal Code. After much discussion and engagement with the general public, our Government has not done so as it feels that our society is not ready for it. Dr Chin’s stance against homosexuality is also a position that is consistent with other major religions in Singapore such as Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, etc.

All in all, I hope that Singaporeans will continue to uphold our multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. I feel that speculation about an anti-homosexuality conspiracy is unconstructive, and might lead to unnecessary religious conflicts. Instead of participating in and encouraging such speculation, the Aware executive committee should be given more space and time to set directions for the society

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/316405.asp