Give new team a chance to succeed

Straits Times Forum letter by Ng Shin Yi, April 24, 2009 Friday

THE reaction (or overreaction) to the dramatic change in leadership in Aware is perhaps a surprise only in Singapore, where we take political stability and smooth transitions in leadership for granted.

It highlights the importance of each individual exercising his precious vote in the democratic process and the dangers of apathy. The members of Aware who did not turn up to vote, and the old guard who did not mobilise voters, will now have to live with the change in leadership.

We should not draw premature opinions on the convictions of the new leaders. Instead, we should respect the democratic process by which they were elected and give them a chance to further the good work that has been championed by Aware.

The new direction in which they will steer Aware will be judged by members and donors, as well as families and individuals supported by its many social services.

For the sake of the many women and children benefiting from the excellent social causes championed by Aware, I wish the new leaders all the best and hope they will build on the sterling achievements of their predecessors.

Ng Shin Yi

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