The Electric New Paper : Tussle For Aware
26 April 2009
By Ng Tze Yong
Her steely front cracked for an instant
How could she let the takeover happen on her watch? Ex-Aware president
Constance Singam spoke on trust, friendships and betrayal.
THERE was almost an aura about her.
Of the panel of veterans, Ms Constance Singam, six-time president and the outgoing president at the time of the takeover, looked the most distinguished.
But halfway through the press conference, that steely front finally cracked.
How do you feel about the takeover which took place under your watch, she was asked.
Ms Singam stepped right up to the plate, beginning her answer steadily, saying: 'I think it is the responsibility of all members....'
She talked about trust and respect, Aware's fundamental values.
As she spoke, she reflected on her 25 years at Aware, and the friendships she has forged.
'It's a form of respect and trust,' she said as her voice started to crack, 'which is for me, the most devastating, traumatic problem that I felt on the day of the takeover... the lack of trust, the injustice of it all.'
The room broke out into nervous laughter.
'You asked me the wrong question,' said Ms Singam, to more laughter.
She continued in a quivering voice: 'I grew in Aware. And I know what is to be an Aware member, and that is what's the saddest part of it. That trust is gone.'
At the sight of Ms Singam breaking down in tears, the other exco members jumped in.
One quipped to laughter: 'I think you are making all of us teary.'
Upsetting
Former president Dana Lam explained:
'It takes a lot of your time and your time from your family to contribute to society... that's why it is so upsetting that the heads of the sub-committees were replaced.'
Added former president Kanwaljit Soin, her own voice quivering: 'Probably what brought it on was that the old guard was too trusting... and that was why there was no need to be in power...'
'We always welcomed new blood, and when new blood arrived, we didn't know that this was a concerted attempt to run Aware differently.'
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