By Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia Posted: 20 April 2009 2201 hrs
SINGAPORE: The old guard from the women's group AWARE said the saga over the association's leadership change has resulted in a healthy debate in civil society. But it is not a fight as many would like to see it.
Singaporeans have often been criticised for being apathetic, but in a way, the AWARE saga has demonstrated otherwise.
Braema Mathi, former AWARE president and former Nominated Member of Parliament, said: "AWARE is simply an organisation that will always, I hope, stand up for any form of anti-discrimination - whether you are heterosexual, homosexual, transgender, transvestite, divorced or a single mum.
"This is the way a women's movement functions - you embrace all forms of diversity. But if communities outside are threatened by what has happened, they want to take it further, then we have to live with it. That is also part of the diversity of voices around.
"In a way, I see a lot of good things happening for Singapore happening through this episode too. I think women who care about this organisation now have to say, ‘Yes, what do I want to do?’
"Come, put your stake down - if your claim goes in whichever way, we accept it, but let's get to it. And other civil societies watching the space and wondering what is happening, and getting involved, I think all that is good."
Newly elected president Josie Lau had said AWARE had lost its focus under the old leadership, a view which the old guard said needs to be substantiated.
The old guard said that in recent years, AWARE has done a lot of work on sexuality education, body image and domestic violence. There are existing leadership programmes for members - for example, two years ago, the group's Youth Group ran a leadership camp. Women are also encouraged to serve on various committees.
Members of the old guard will be asking, at the upcoming Extraordinary General Meeting on May 2, questions about the new members' values - which they feel still have not been answered.
Braema added: "This is not a fight as I think everyone likes to see it. This is a simple case of 'we do not understand why you need to do it in the way so far'.
"Right now, it looks like the value system is the same. Then one doesn't need to do all this, one could just come and have volunteered some time ago and be part of the processes."
The old guard members also said they never wanted the matter to go to the media and they wanted to resolve it internally. But given the public interest in developments, coupled with the lack of communication from the newcomers, the old guards said they felt they had to respond.
On her dismissal by the new executive committee (exco) as chairman of one of AWARE's sub-committees, Braema said she will need to discuss the matter with her 20 committee members who are upset with her dismissal before deciding what to do.
The new executive committee had sacked her because it claimed a report that was due in March last year had not been submitted.
Braema, and AWARE's previous president Constance Singam, said the report was actually due in March this year.
AWARE's immediate past president Claire Nazar had also claimed that the new exco wanted to replace chairpersons of important subcommittees with exco members. AWARE President Josie Lau could not be reached for comments.
It now remains to be seen if answers will be forthcoming at the EGM next Saturday.
- CNA/vm
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/423677/1/.html
Monday, April 20, 2009
AWARE president says will not step down despite pressure
By Loh Chee Kong, TODAY Posted: 20 April 2009 0954 hrs
SINGAPORE: Even as both factions are reportedly gathering support for the May 2 showdown - in which members will vote on a no-confidence motion in the new Exco - the power tussle at AWARE could require more than just sheer numbers, with its constitution not providing specifically for a no-confidence vote.
Asked whether her committee would step down in the face of a majority vote at the upcoming extraordinary general meeting (EOGM), AWARE president Josie Lau instead questioned the commitment of those pushing for the motion towards “women’s issues”.
Of the 160 signatories for the EOGM, 120 joined only after the annual general meeting (AGM). Only five of the 40 older members actually attended the AGM.
“The other 30 or so members were not even interested enough to show up,” Ms Lau told TODAY.
With membership rising to 600 - up from 440 just three weeks ago, before the saga began - a big turnout at the EOGM is expected.
Ms Corinna Lim, a spokesperson for the Old Guard, pointed out the Constitution states that “management is vested in general meeting” and the Exco “always remains subordinate to the general meetings”.
Should the Exco refuse to budge, the issue could be brought up to the Registry of Societies, said Ms Lim, a corporate counsel.
While the leadership tussle is unlikely to go away anytime soon, Ms Lau remains undeterred - despite the fact she is a reluctant leader. She revealed on Channel NewsAsia’s Talking Point which aired Sunday, that she took the post after everyone else turned it down.
The controversies surrounding her appointment, including the public reprimand from her employer DBS, have strengthened her resolve.
“Once I’m in, I’m in. There’s no such thing as dropping the baton halfway,” she said.
She would not be drawn into taking a stance on homosexuality - a “very controversial topic” - only saying that “the new Exco will have to take a look at this and see what is the direction we want to take”.
Some newspaper reports have claimed that Ms Lau and at least five other members are part of a church that adopts a strong stance against homosexuality. But Ms Lau stressed the Exco “was not there to push our personal religious affiliations”.
Her team had come into power following a controversial AGM on March 28 when they were voted in by a large group of new members.
She denied that the Exco had orchestrated a leadership grab, insisting that several members were previously strangers to one another.
Criticising the ex-leadership for having “lost its focus”, she said: “We have to bring it back to basics and try... to equip our younger women to take on leadership position roles.”
AWARE would be seeking to introduce several “constitutional changes”: Expanding the voting rights to men, expatriate women and teenagers above the age of 15 who could seek parental consent to join the society.
- TODAY/yb
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/423529/1/.html
SINGAPORE: Even as both factions are reportedly gathering support for the May 2 showdown - in which members will vote on a no-confidence motion in the new Exco - the power tussle at AWARE could require more than just sheer numbers, with its constitution not providing specifically for a no-confidence vote.
Asked whether her committee would step down in the face of a majority vote at the upcoming extraordinary general meeting (EOGM), AWARE president Josie Lau instead questioned the commitment of those pushing for the motion towards “women’s issues”.
Of the 160 signatories for the EOGM, 120 joined only after the annual general meeting (AGM). Only five of the 40 older members actually attended the AGM.
“The other 30 or so members were not even interested enough to show up,” Ms Lau told TODAY.
With membership rising to 600 - up from 440 just three weeks ago, before the saga began - a big turnout at the EOGM is expected.
Ms Corinna Lim, a spokesperson for the Old Guard, pointed out the Constitution states that “management is vested in general meeting” and the Exco “always remains subordinate to the general meetings”.
Should the Exco refuse to budge, the issue could be brought up to the Registry of Societies, said Ms Lim, a corporate counsel.
While the leadership tussle is unlikely to go away anytime soon, Ms Lau remains undeterred - despite the fact she is a reluctant leader. She revealed on Channel NewsAsia’s Talking Point which aired Sunday, that she took the post after everyone else turned it down.
The controversies surrounding her appointment, including the public reprimand from her employer DBS, have strengthened her resolve.
“Once I’m in, I’m in. There’s no such thing as dropping the baton halfway,” she said.
She would not be drawn into taking a stance on homosexuality - a “very controversial topic” - only saying that “the new Exco will have to take a look at this and see what is the direction we want to take”.
Some newspaper reports have claimed that Ms Lau and at least five other members are part of a church that adopts a strong stance against homosexuality. But Ms Lau stressed the Exco “was not there to push our personal religious affiliations”.
Her team had come into power following a controversial AGM on March 28 when they were voted in by a large group of new members.
She denied that the Exco had orchestrated a leadership grab, insisting that several members were previously strangers to one another.
Criticising the ex-leadership for having “lost its focus”, she said: “We have to bring it back to basics and try... to equip our younger women to take on leadership position roles.”
AWARE would be seeking to introduce several “constitutional changes”: Expanding the voting rights to men, expatriate women and teenagers above the age of 15 who could seek parental consent to join the society.
- TODAY/yb
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/423529/1/.html
More than a numbers game
Today Online - Monday • April 20, 2009
Loh Chee Kong
cheekong@mediacorp.com.sg
EVEN as both factions are reportedly gathering support for theMay 2 showdown — in which members will vote on a no-confidence motion in the new Exco — the power tussle at Aware could require more than just sheer numbers, with its constitution not providing specifically for a no-confidence vote.
Asked whether her committee would step down in the face of a majority vote at the upcoming extraordinary general meeting (EOGM), Aware president Josie Lau instead questioned the commitment of those pushing for the motion towards "women's issues".
Of the 160 signatories for the EOGM, 120 joined only after the annual general meeting (AGM). Only five of the 40 older members actually attended the AGM.
"The other 30 or so members were not even interested enough to show up," Ms Lau told Today.
With membership rising to 600 — up from 440 just three weeks ago, before the saga began — a big turnout at the EOGM is expected.
Ms Corinna Lim, a spokesperson for the Old Guard, pointed out the Constitution states that "management is vested in general meeting" and the Exco "always remains subordinate to the general meetings".
Should the Exco refuse to budge, the issue could be brought up to the Registry of Societies, said Ms Lim, a corporate counsel.
While the leadership tussle is unlikely to go away anytime soon, Ms Lau remains undeterred — despite the fact she is a reluctant leader. She revealed on Channel NewsAsia's Talking Point yesterday that she took the post after everyone else turned it down.
The controversies surrounding her appointment, including the public reprimand from her employer DBS, have strengthened her resolve.
"Once I'm in, I'm in. There's no such thing as dropping the baton halfway," she said.
She would not be drawn into taking a stance on homosexuality — a "very controversial topic" — only saying that "the new Exco will have to take a look at this and see what is the direction we want to take".
Some newspaper reports have claimed that Ms Lau and at least five other members are part of a church that adopts a strong stance against homosexuality. But Ms Lau stressed the Exco "was not there to push our personal religious affiliations".
Her team had come into power following a controversial AGM on March 28 when they were voted in by a large group of new members. She denied that the Exco had orchestrated a leadership grab, insisting that several members were previously strangers to one another.
Criticising the ex-leadership for having "lost its focus", she said: "We have to bring it back to basics and try ... to equip our younger women to take on leadership position roles."
Aware would be seeking to introduce several "constitutional changes": Expanding the voting rights to men, expatriate women and teenagers above the age of 15 who could seek parental consent to join the society.
http://www.todayonline.com
Loh Chee Kong
cheekong@mediacorp.com.sg
EVEN as both factions are reportedly gathering support for theMay 2 showdown — in which members will vote on a no-confidence motion in the new Exco — the power tussle at Aware could require more than just sheer numbers, with its constitution not providing specifically for a no-confidence vote.
Asked whether her committee would step down in the face of a majority vote at the upcoming extraordinary general meeting (EOGM), Aware president Josie Lau instead questioned the commitment of those pushing for the motion towards "women's issues".
Of the 160 signatories for the EOGM, 120 joined only after the annual general meeting (AGM). Only five of the 40 older members actually attended the AGM.
"The other 30 or so members were not even interested enough to show up," Ms Lau told Today.
With membership rising to 600 — up from 440 just three weeks ago, before the saga began — a big turnout at the EOGM is expected.
Ms Corinna Lim, a spokesperson for the Old Guard, pointed out the Constitution states that "management is vested in general meeting" and the Exco "always remains subordinate to the general meetings".
Should the Exco refuse to budge, the issue could be brought up to the Registry of Societies, said Ms Lim, a corporate counsel.
While the leadership tussle is unlikely to go away anytime soon, Ms Lau remains undeterred — despite the fact she is a reluctant leader. She revealed on Channel NewsAsia's Talking Point yesterday that she took the post after everyone else turned it down.
The controversies surrounding her appointment, including the public reprimand from her employer DBS, have strengthened her resolve.
"Once I'm in, I'm in. There's no such thing as dropping the baton halfway," she said.
She would not be drawn into taking a stance on homosexuality — a "very controversial topic" — only saying that "the new Exco will have to take a look at this and see what is the direction we want to take".
Some newspaper reports have claimed that Ms Lau and at least five other members are part of a church that adopts a strong stance against homosexuality. But Ms Lau stressed the Exco "was not there to push our personal religious affiliations".
Her team had come into power following a controversial AGM on March 28 when they were voted in by a large group of new members. She denied that the Exco had orchestrated a leadership grab, insisting that several members were previously strangers to one another.
Criticising the ex-leadership for having "lost its focus", she said: "We have to bring it back to basics and try ... to equip our younger women to take on leadership position roles."
Aware would be seeking to introduce several "constitutional changes": Expanding the voting rights to men, expatriate women and teenagers above the age of 15 who could seek parental consent to join the society.
http://www.todayonline.com
The new Exco speaks ...
Today Online - Monday • April 20, 2009
On former Aware president Constance Singam who has quit as adviser of the society:
Acknowledging Ms Singam's concerns listed in her resignation email, Ms Josie Lau said: "Constance has a wealth of ideas and perspectives and her resignation is a loss to Aware and women in Singapore."
On Ms Braema Mathi, two-time Awarepresident, who was told she was no longerin charge of producing a key report ondiscrimination against women in Singapore:
Ms Ong said Ms Mathi had failed to submit a draft report which, according to the latest annual report prepared by the previous Exco, had been due since March last year.
"At the first exco meeting (on April 15), we had asked her for the report. To date, she has not submitted it."
Ms Mathi, who has been on a hectic travelling schedule, could not be reached for comment. When contacted by Today, Ms Singam clarified that it was a misprint — the deadline should have been "March 2009". She said she would communicate the error to the Exco today. "Yes, (the misunderstanding) shouldn't have happened ... but they never asked me about it," she said.
On Ms Claire Nazar, who quit as president less than two weeks after she was elected:
Noting that Ms Nazar's email stated that her resignation was "purely out of personal reasons", Ms Lau said she was surprised at her assertions that she did so because the Exco "were not going to follow in my direction".
"The president is there to provide leadership and guidance but the Exco actually helps to set the direction," said Ms Lau.
Instead of quitting in a huff, Ms Nazar should have tried to iron out the differences she had with the rest of the Exco, said Aware honorary treasurer Maureen Ong.
http://www.todayonline.com
On former Aware president Constance Singam who has quit as adviser of the society:
Acknowledging Ms Singam's concerns listed in her resignation email, Ms Josie Lau said: "Constance has a wealth of ideas and perspectives and her resignation is a loss to Aware and women in Singapore."
On Ms Braema Mathi, two-time Awarepresident, who was told she was no longerin charge of producing a key report ondiscrimination against women in Singapore:
Ms Ong said Ms Mathi had failed to submit a draft report which, according to the latest annual report prepared by the previous Exco, had been due since March last year.
"At the first exco meeting (on April 15), we had asked her for the report. To date, she has not submitted it."
Ms Mathi, who has been on a hectic travelling schedule, could not be reached for comment. When contacted by Today, Ms Singam clarified that it was a misprint — the deadline should have been "March 2009". She said she would communicate the error to the Exco today. "Yes, (the misunderstanding) shouldn't have happened ... but they never asked me about it," she said.
On Ms Claire Nazar, who quit as president less than two weeks after she was elected:
Noting that Ms Nazar's email stated that her resignation was "purely out of personal reasons", Ms Lau said she was surprised at her assertions that she did so because the Exco "were not going to follow in my direction".
"The president is there to provide leadership and guidance but the Exco actually helps to set the direction," said Ms Lau.
Instead of quitting in a huff, Ms Nazar should have tried to iron out the differences she had with the rest of the Exco, said Aware honorary treasurer Maureen Ong.
http://www.todayonline.com
Aware chief wants to heal rift with upset members
Straits Times - April 20, 2009
Aware chief wants to heal rift with upset members
Josie Lau says change needed as group had diversified too much
By Wong Kim Hoh
AS ITS new president, Ms Josie Lau says her priority is to reconcile members of the Association of Women And Research (Aware) following the controversial leadership change on March 28.
She hopes that an extraordinary general meeting to be held soon will provide an opportunity for an open discussion.
'The team has clearly fissured. I want to operate such that my members can support me, and we can all disagree in an agreeable environment,' she said.
Ms Lau and Aware's new honorary treasurer Maureen Ong appeared on Channel News Asia's half-hour Talking Point programme aired last night.
They said they could not understand why the Aware old guard had been unhappy with the change, when the exco's new faces had merely responded to calls to serve women.
Asked if their takeover was a planned coup, Ms Lau said: 'No.' She and Ms Ong claimed they had only just got to know each other.
They were short on details about their plans, saying it was too soon.
But Ms Lau said change was needed because Aware had lost its focus and diversified too much, going into too many different areas. The result was that it did not have enough depth.
'Like any good corporation, if you have diversified too much, consolidate,' she said. 'And as with any new committee, we know that resources are always limited, (so) let's take a look and review what is done in the past that is good, let's keep that, and what new ideas we have, bring on.'
She said she hoped to start a mentoring scheme to groom younger women for leadership positions.
In fact, she already had a new programme called 'Wind Beneath My Wings' in mind, and said it would pair younger women with successful role models such as former Aware president Claire Chiang and Singapore Ambassador to the United States Chan Heng Chee.
The past three weeks have seen a series of stormy events at Aware after a large group of new members swarmed the annual general meeting and voted in an exco of mostly unknowns.
Mrs Claire Nazar was elected president, but quit after just 11 days.
She revealed in The Sunday Times yesterday that she gave up because of the aggressive tactics of the new office bearers, who seemed in a rush to replace sub-committee heads and disregarded input and advice from older Aware members.
Ms Lau filled the gap when she was appointed president last week, but immediately landed in trouble with her employer DBS Bank, which said it had advised her not to take up the top post.
Meanwhile, a group of 160 Aware members have called for an extraordinary general meeting to table a vote of no confidence in the new team.
Last night, Ms Lau said she and her team had remained silent because events had moved so fast.
As for her problem with her employer, she said it 'has been resolved', but was still under discussion.
Explaining why she took the post, she said: 'I felt that I had to pick up the baton, to run and to continue to lead this organisation that had been mired in controversies in the last one, two weeks.'
Near the end of the programme Ms Lau was asked how her exco would respond to a woman facing discrimination at work because of her sexuality.
She replied: 'Aware is a secular organisation. We are not there to push our personal religious beliefs. We do not discriminate against anyone of particular religion, whether you are a man or woman.
'Talking about sexual discrimination, it is a very controversial topic, and the new exco will have to take a new look at this and see what is the role we want to take.'
kimhoh@sph.com.sg
http://www.straitstimes.co
Aware chief wants to heal rift with upset members
Josie Lau says change needed as group had diversified too much
By Wong Kim Hoh
AS ITS new president, Ms Josie Lau says her priority is to reconcile members of the Association of Women And Research (Aware) following the controversial leadership change on March 28.
She hopes that an extraordinary general meeting to be held soon will provide an opportunity for an open discussion.
'The team has clearly fissured. I want to operate such that my members can support me, and we can all disagree in an agreeable environment,' she said.
Ms Lau and Aware's new honorary treasurer Maureen Ong appeared on Channel News Asia's half-hour Talking Point programme aired last night.
They said they could not understand why the Aware old guard had been unhappy with the change, when the exco's new faces had merely responded to calls to serve women.
Asked if their takeover was a planned coup, Ms Lau said: 'No.' She and Ms Ong claimed they had only just got to know each other.
They were short on details about their plans, saying it was too soon.
But Ms Lau said change was needed because Aware had lost its focus and diversified too much, going into too many different areas. The result was that it did not have enough depth.
'Like any good corporation, if you have diversified too much, consolidate,' she said. 'And as with any new committee, we know that resources are always limited, (so) let's take a look and review what is done in the past that is good, let's keep that, and what new ideas we have, bring on.'
She said she hoped to start a mentoring scheme to groom younger women for leadership positions.
In fact, she already had a new programme called 'Wind Beneath My Wings' in mind, and said it would pair younger women with successful role models such as former Aware president Claire Chiang and Singapore Ambassador to the United States Chan Heng Chee.
The past three weeks have seen a series of stormy events at Aware after a large group of new members swarmed the annual general meeting and voted in an exco of mostly unknowns.
Mrs Claire Nazar was elected president, but quit after just 11 days.
She revealed in The Sunday Times yesterday that she gave up because of the aggressive tactics of the new office bearers, who seemed in a rush to replace sub-committee heads and disregarded input and advice from older Aware members.
Ms Lau filled the gap when she was appointed president last week, but immediately landed in trouble with her employer DBS Bank, which said it had advised her not to take up the top post.
Meanwhile, a group of 160 Aware members have called for an extraordinary general meeting to table a vote of no confidence in the new team.
Last night, Ms Lau said she and her team had remained silent because events had moved so fast.
As for her problem with her employer, she said it 'has been resolved', but was still under discussion.
Explaining why she took the post, she said: 'I felt that I had to pick up the baton, to run and to continue to lead this organisation that had been mired in controversies in the last one, two weeks.'
Near the end of the programme Ms Lau was asked how her exco would respond to a woman facing discrimination at work because of her sexuality.
She replied: 'Aware is a secular organisation. We are not there to push our personal religious beliefs. We do not discriminate against anyone of particular religion, whether you are a man or woman.
'Talking about sexual discrimination, it is a very controversial topic, and the new exco will have to take a new look at this and see what is the role we want to take.'
kimhoh@sph.com.sg
http://www.straitstimes.co
Dangerous turns in domestic dispute
Straits Times - April 20, 2009
Dangerous turns in domestic dispute
Both sides in Aware saga share the blame for current situation
By Paul Jacob
I THINK the time has come for some heads to be knocked together.
It is an old remedy to knock some sense into people who have been having a go at each other for well on three weeks now.
What essentially started out as a domestic dispute over who is in charge of the household has spilled out into the corridors.
Family and friends have joined in the fray, an employer too, and the neighbourhood is abuzz with residents out on their balconies watching on with bemusement.
When the dust settles, as it must, those who had no clue as to what the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) stood for, and more importantly, what it has achieved since its establishment in 1985, will remember it for the wrong reasons.
By marketing this dispute to the public and being prepared to air dirty linen, the protagonists and supporters on both sides of the dispute are sullying the name of the organisation that they claim to be in the best position to represent.
The danger is that whoever emerges the 'victor' in this catfight will have alienated those who stand firmly in support of the other side. And Aware, like it or not, will be in real danger of losing its effectiveness because there will surely be a counter-group sniping at its every pronouncement.
Sadly, that appears to have already happened.
It is regrettable that the team ousted from power has been so swift to suggest that Aware, under new management, will stray from its ideological moorings.
This after digging up and citing statements that some in the new team made publicly and in their personal capacity about issues such as homosexuality.
Their supporters have further suggested that the new group is of an extremely conservative bent, that the leading women's advocacy group here has been hijacked by Christian fundamentalists - and that all these will have a significant bearing on Aware's secular nature and its advocacy and programmes, some of which are carried out in schools.
I think that what is worrying, and dangerous, is that this camp has chosen to throw down and play the religious card.
It is one thing to portray a group as conservatives. In fact, if the former incumbents or their supporters need any reminding, it is that the bulk of society here is just that - conservative.
They don't make a song and dance about it, but just ask any Member of Parliament about the make-up of his or her constituency, and you will get a clear idea of just what values are prevalent in the heartlands.
Unfortunately, the label that I have heard some people apply to the new crowd at Aware is not just a simple 'conservative' tag. It is 'Christian conservative' or 'fundamentalist'.
On the Internet, there are even worse tags. Among them: 'Christian Taleban'.
I think that when people start throwing out such descriptions to involve religion and drag in the church - as if the church sent these women out on a 'crusade' (another description I have come across online) - then someone is playing with fire.
One writer asked if the Registrar of Societies should step in if it is found that the organisation is being used for 'a quasi-religious agenda'.
Religion and an alleged anti-gay agenda have become the central themes colouring this debate, taking it in a wholly new, different and potentially explosive direction.
Having said all that, I also think that it is equally regrettable that the newly elected team was slow to outline their position and to respond, when asked straight up at the annual general meeting and afterwards, just what they stood for.
Their reticence, inability or unwillingness to do so when opportunities first arose behind the closed doors of the March 28 meeting where they were elected has contributed to this state of affairs, and the predicament that Aware now finds itself in.
Like it or not, they owe it to the membership and the organisation they seek to represent.
Now, because of that inaction on their part, they need to make their positions crystal clear - or risk adding fuel to the fire that others have started.
How about us bystanders?
I believe we are also owed some form of explanation. This is because we risk being burnt by the fallout from what was essentially a domestic dispute that has escalated and may well threaten the neighbourhood.
The responsibility rests with both camps to put their house in order. And soon.
Otherwise, somebody might need to step in and knock some heads together.
http://www.straitstimes.co
Dangerous turns in domestic dispute
Both sides in Aware saga share the blame for current situation
By Paul Jacob
I THINK the time has come for some heads to be knocked together.
It is an old remedy to knock some sense into people who have been having a go at each other for well on three weeks now.
What essentially started out as a domestic dispute over who is in charge of the household has spilled out into the corridors.
Family and friends have joined in the fray, an employer too, and the neighbourhood is abuzz with residents out on their balconies watching on with bemusement.
When the dust settles, as it must, those who had no clue as to what the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) stood for, and more importantly, what it has achieved since its establishment in 1985, will remember it for the wrong reasons.
By marketing this dispute to the public and being prepared to air dirty linen, the protagonists and supporters on both sides of the dispute are sullying the name of the organisation that they claim to be in the best position to represent.
The danger is that whoever emerges the 'victor' in this catfight will have alienated those who stand firmly in support of the other side. And Aware, like it or not, will be in real danger of losing its effectiveness because there will surely be a counter-group sniping at its every pronouncement.
Sadly, that appears to have already happened.
It is regrettable that the team ousted from power has been so swift to suggest that Aware, under new management, will stray from its ideological moorings.
This after digging up and citing statements that some in the new team made publicly and in their personal capacity about issues such as homosexuality.
Their supporters have further suggested that the new group is of an extremely conservative bent, that the leading women's advocacy group here has been hijacked by Christian fundamentalists - and that all these will have a significant bearing on Aware's secular nature and its advocacy and programmes, some of which are carried out in schools.
I think that what is worrying, and dangerous, is that this camp has chosen to throw down and play the religious card.
It is one thing to portray a group as conservatives. In fact, if the former incumbents or their supporters need any reminding, it is that the bulk of society here is just that - conservative.
They don't make a song and dance about it, but just ask any Member of Parliament about the make-up of his or her constituency, and you will get a clear idea of just what values are prevalent in the heartlands.
Unfortunately, the label that I have heard some people apply to the new crowd at Aware is not just a simple 'conservative' tag. It is 'Christian conservative' or 'fundamentalist'.
On the Internet, there are even worse tags. Among them: 'Christian Taleban'.
I think that when people start throwing out such descriptions to involve religion and drag in the church - as if the church sent these women out on a 'crusade' (another description I have come across online) - then someone is playing with fire.
One writer asked if the Registrar of Societies should step in if it is found that the organisation is being used for 'a quasi-religious agenda'.
Religion and an alleged anti-gay agenda have become the central themes colouring this debate, taking it in a wholly new, different and potentially explosive direction.
Having said all that, I also think that it is equally regrettable that the newly elected team was slow to outline their position and to respond, when asked straight up at the annual general meeting and afterwards, just what they stood for.
Their reticence, inability or unwillingness to do so when opportunities first arose behind the closed doors of the March 28 meeting where they were elected has contributed to this state of affairs, and the predicament that Aware now finds itself in.
Like it or not, they owe it to the membership and the organisation they seek to represent.
Now, because of that inaction on their part, they need to make their positions crystal clear - or risk adding fuel to the fire that others have started.
How about us bystanders?
I believe we are also owed some form of explanation. This is because we risk being burnt by the fallout from what was essentially a domestic dispute that has escalated and may well threaten the neighbourhood.
The responsibility rests with both camps to put their house in order. And soon.
Otherwise, somebody might need to step in and knock some heads together.
http://www.straitstimes.co
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