AWARE Old Guard say they feel responsible for what has happened

By Cheryl Lim, Channel NewsAsia Posted: 24 April 2009 2212 hrs

SINGAPORE: The Old Guard from the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) said the group is all about creating trust, respect and support among members.

Speaking at a news conference on Friday, they said they all feel responsible for what has happened.

Constance Singam, a former AWARE president, said: "It's a form of respect and trust, which is for me, the most devastating and dramatic problem that I felt on the day of the takeover – that trust is gone."

Addressing accusations that AWARE has become too lesbian-focused, the Old Guard said the issue is not about whether the organisation has strayed from its original aims, but more about ensuring that there is space for diversity of views in society.

Speaking to the media with their legal advisers, the Old Guard also said AWARE is all about inclusion and to exclude men from membership rights would go against that philosophy.

As to Dr Thio Su Mien's claims of being friends with the association's founders, they said they were not aware of her involvement.

Dr Kanwakjit Sion, founding member of AWARE, said: "I had not heard of Dr Thio Su Mien being a feminist. So this was a little bit of a surprise for me. But then, we always have closet feminists."

Commenting on an online petition against the new exco, the Old Guard said it was started by one of their founding members, Vivian Wee.

According to the new exco, all the online chatter about the issue is taking focus away from the real work they want to do. They said it is extremely distracting and they just want to concentrate on achieving their objectives.

Former AWARE centre manager Schutz Lee also spoke to Channel NewsAsia on Friday about her sudden dismissal the night before.

"I was very much taken aback. I guess because I was really focused on the preparations. This is part of my dedication and commitment to AWARE," she said.

As to whether both sides might be able to eventually work side by side, former AWARE president Margaret Thomas said it does not look like the New Guard are ready for dialogue.

But she said the Old Guard will be ready when they do.

- CNA/so

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/424706/1/.html