Help Save Aware

Aware saga: The other questions we have to ask

2009-04-27T12:30:00.001+08:00

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

2009-04-27T08:34:00.000+08:00

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

2009-04-27T08:23:00.001+08:00

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

2009-04-27T08:08:00.001+08:00

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

2009-04-27T08:07:00.000+08:00

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

2009-04-27T08:05:00.002+08:00

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

2009-04-27T08:03:00.001+08:00

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

Government won't interfere in AWARE saga

2009-04-26T19:00:00.001+08:00

By S Ramesh/Cheryl Lim, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 26 April 2009 1900 hrs

SINGAPORE: The government has no intention of intervening in the saga involving AWARE (Association of Women for Action and Research).

Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Vivian Balakrishnan, said this on the sidelines of his visit to Nee Soon South on Sunday.

The problems facing AWARE are not a national one, so it is best for the organisation to settle them democratically and according to its constitution.

But still, the minister feels that Singaporeans can learn some lessons from the AWARE saga. The first is not to let a single issue hijack an organisation's agenda.

Dr Balakrishnan said: "There will always be some issues where you cannot get everybody to agree. We need to be able to learn to live and let live, to agree to disagree, and to do so agreeably. But don't let these single issues polarise or divide us and become the be-all and end-all of your social activism or your organisation."

The minister also emphasised that it is important for all Singaporeans to remember and also remain sensitive to the fact that they are living in a multi-racial and multi-religious society.

That's another lesson that must be learnt from the AWARE episode. So it is important for organisations to keep religion above the fray of petty politics.

Dr Balakrishnan said: "We want to protect and nurture the special place religion has in our society. We don't want our religious organisations to be compromised or be damaged by the hurly-burly of politicking which appears on the ground. It is not a good idea."

Lastly, Dr Balakrishnan said, if organisations want to make meaningful change to Singapore society, they must ensure representation from all segments which constitute the group.

He said there are many more challenges facing Singapore and women. It would be good to focus on them and not get distracted.

Separately, Law Minister K Shanmugam also said it is for the members of AWARE to sort out their problems.

He said the Societies Act clearly spells out how associations should conduct their affairs and the association's constitution also regulates arrangements between members.

He said: "The rules are all clear and one assumes that they will act according to the law and to their own internal constitution. I think it's premature to comment on what we might or might not do. We don't really get involved in this. It is for the members to sort it out."

- CNA/ir

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/425035/1/.html

CONTROVERSY

2009-04-26T12:44:00.000+08:00

The Electric New Paper : Tussle For Aware

26 April 2009

By Liew Hanqing

'Girls told how to say no to sex'

Aware's school sexuality programme told children it's okay to be gay, say its new leaders. But what was really being taught in schools? Teachers and parents also give their views

ONE of his students was taunted, bullied and called a 'bapok' (effeminate) by his schoolmates.

This incident prompted Alex, a secondary school teacher, to seek help in educating students on the social aspects of sex and sexuality.

So he called Aware.

Alex declined to be named because teachers are not allowed to speak to the press without permission.

The secondary school in the East where Alex teaches is among the 12 schools here which run Aware's Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) programme.

The programme has been questioned by Aware's new leadership. Members are unhappy that it seems to promote in schools the message that homosexuality is acceptable.

In an ice-breaker activity used in the programme, students are advised that words such as 'homosexual', 'pre-marital' and 'anal sex' are considered neutral - neither positive nor negative.

Said Alex: 'The issue is not how these words are being classified. The important thing is educating students that homosexuality is something real and that they should not look down on somebody just because he or she is homosexual.'

He added that it was important that sexuality education programmes should discourage indiscriminate sexual experimentation among students.

Alex said the programme is pitched at Secondary 2 students at his school, many of whom are from the Normal (Technical) stream.

He said such programmes are necessary because students are beginning to experiment with sex at a much younger age than before.

He said: 'In the past, smoking was what kids used to experiment with at Sec2. Now, it's sex.'

Alex said female students who had attended the CSE programme had told him they were told how to say 'no' to sex. They also went through hands-on activities like learning to use a condom.

He added that the speakers did not delve much into the issue of homosexuality. Male students and teachers were also not allowed to attend the talk for girls.

Alex said he felt sexuality education programmes - regardless of who runs them - are important for students at a young age.

In the past five years alone, more than 20 of his students have had abortions, he said.

He said: 'Students need to be educated on the consequences of their actions and to know that even if they do get into a bad situation, there is a way out.'

But Mr Koh Yong Chiah, principal of Jurong Junior College, feels differently.

Eastern values

He told The New Paper: 'Ultimately, Singapore is still a society that follows Eastern moral values.

'From a human rights perspective, I am not against it (homosexuality), but I feel it is not right to tell students in school that homosexuality is okay.'

He added, however, that it is acceptable to educate students against stopping people from being in homosexual relationships.

Another secondary school teacher took a more moderate stand, suggesting that the programme be targeted at older students, who are 'more ready to discuss and learn about sexuality issues'.

She said that many schools - including her own - now run sexuality workshops for Sec2 students, in tandem with their sex education curriculum.

She said: 'But learning about the biological aspect of sex is different from learning about sexuality and its social implications.

'I would be apprehensive about telling teenagers to take a stand about homosexuality at such a young age.'

She added that it would, however, be a good move to equip teachers with the necessary counselling skills should students approach them to talk about issues related to sex and homosexuality.

Parents The New Paper spoke to had mixed responses to the CSE programme.

Ms Doreen Pang, 44, who has a 17-year-old son, said she 'would not accept' school sexuality programmes which consider homosexuality acceptable.

She said in Mandarin: 'I believe the schools should still educate students on traditional family values.

'Homosexuality is something that cannot be changed, but schools should not be telling children that it is okay.'

Another parent, Mr Leonard Wee, 45, who has a daughter in Sec3, said he had nothing against students being educated on homosexuality.

He said: 'It's very real, and we can't just pretend it doesn't exist. Classifying certain buzz words as 'neutral' isn't going to tip straight students over the edge and turn them gay.

'The most important thing is that students are taught how to behave responsibly when it comes to sex and that they know what they are getting themselves into.'

http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/story/0,4136,200047,00.html?

MADAM WARY

2009-04-26T12:38:00.001+08:00

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.'

http://www.tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,200051,00.html?STATE_STK=100001&SUBSTATE_STK=1&NEXTSTATE=&NEXTSUBSTATE=

Old guard members counter allegations of a pro-gay stance

2009-04-25T09:00:00.000+08:00

Straits Times - April 25, 2009

Old guard members counter allegations of a pro-gay stance

AWARE'S old guard yesterday rejected the new leaders' accusation that the association had become pro-lesbian and pro-homosexual. This was their response to the allegations made on Thursday.

PROMOTED A LESBIAN MOVIE

Aware sponsored the screening of the lesbian-themed movie, Spider Lilies, at its charity gala two years ago.

Former Aware president Constance Singam, 72: 'Over the years some of the movies we have screened include Singapore Dreaming, Mrs Henderson Presents, The Soong Sisters, Summer Snow and Paradise Road.

We exercise our judgment. Earlier this year an Israeli Film, Seed Of Summer, was offered to us but we turned it down because the subject matter was sensitive and controversial - it dealt with military service and lesbianism.

Spider Lilies was about the relationship between a tattoo artist and a Web camera woman. One of my exco members - a mother of three boys - told me the two protagonists' sexuality was secondary. It was a film about love, companionship and longing.'

HAD A MEN'S WORKSHOP

Aware invited Mr Bert Bjarland, a Finnish gender activist, to hold a workshop.

Male associate member Tan Wah Kiat, 37: 'Bert Bjarland had spent 20 years working with men's groups in Finland and wanted this issue tackled in Aware. His workshop helped men to recognise that there are many different masculinities.

We do not want to live in a box where men are supposed to be all macho, rough and aggressive; and women, soft, meek and domesticated.

I used to be a jock, and that is one of my biggest regrets. Joining Aware, I learnt the value of being soft and sensitive. I've been happily married for seven years. It really helps to build family and personal relationships.'

WANTS TO LET MEN VOTE

Former Aware president Dana Lam, 57: 'We have been discussing this in Aware for years. We are a bit divided over this.

We women have been saying that decisions - public, personal, family - cannot be made by only men; that they have to be made jointly with men. If we walk the talk, then we have to give men the right to vote.

On the other hand, some of us feel we are not that ready to admit a male voice in the organisation. We are still debating this, and debate is healthy.'

MOTHER'S DAY 2006

Aware held an event featuring lesbian-friendly mothers and lesbian daughters talking about themselves.

Aware member Corinna Lim: 'We had mothers with lesbian daughters coming together to share their pain and issues in a very supportive environment.

It was done in a loving way. How could they say it was bad when they didn't even attend the forum? To me, that was love. The bond between a mother and child is precious, no matter what the circumstances.'

INVITED GAY ACTIVIST ALEX AU

Former Aware president Tan Joo Hymn, 38: 'This forum, Playing It Safe: Keeping HIV At Bay, was organised because statistics showed that cases of women contracting Aids had shot up in Singapore.

Mr Au was one of four people at the forum; the others were a doctor, a representative from Action For Aids and then Aware president Braema Mathi.'

REACHING OUT TO TRANSVESTITES

Former Aware president Constance Singam, 72. 'I've never talked about reaching out to transvestites in any newsletter.

Last year, I gave a talk to a lesbian audience and they asked me very tough questions and demanded to know why Aware was not fighting for their rights. I told them we were inclusive, but we could not lobby exclusively for lesbians.

The fact is, Aware represents all women. I told them we are also fighting for them when we fight for issues like equality, the right to personal choices and sexuality.'

WONG KIM HOH

http://www.straitstimes.com/Prime%2BNews/Story/STIStory_368132.htm

A defence tinged with regret

2009-04-25T08:13:00.002+08:00

Old Guard explains its leadership; refutes pro-lesbian accusations

Today Weekend • April 25, 2009

Teo Xuanwei

xuanwei@mediacorp.com.sg

TEARS welled up as she related how "saddened" she felt that it happened under her watch. Ms Constance Singam, the immediate past-president at the Association of Women for Action and Research, was visibly shaken when she said the "fundamental value of trust" in the women's advocacy group was "gone", following its very public leadership tussle.

And the implications for civil society arising from the dramatic events unfolding within the group, such as the death threats said to have been sent to the new leadership, were keenly felt as well.

"We are saddened and sorry. That's not how we want civil society to operate," said Dr Kanwaljit Soin, a founding member. "We don't know who gave it to her and we don't think such actions should take place in a civilised society."

But the "Old Guard" firmly defended the way they ran Aware. In a heated 90-minute press conference on Friday, 10 members, accompanied by a legal adviser, responded to the newly-elected committee's barbs that the feminist organisation has become pro-gay and pro-lesbian, among other things.

A press statement was issued to account for each activity listed by the current Exco to support their claims.

Responding to allegations that its comprehensive sexuality education programme promotes homosexuality, the Old Guard said information about lesbianism only constituted a "very small percentage of the whole package".

Other elements included risks of unsafe sex and how to deal with peer pressure, for instance. Such activities were a bid to respond to the "changing needs of women".

"Homosexuality exists. We cannot be ostriches and bury our heads and pretend it doesn't exist. We have to address the issue," said Dr Soin.

The common refrain from the 10 on Friday to refute claims that Aware has deviated from its original aims: It was set up as a "secular" and "inclusive" civil society. It does not seek to "impose values", said Dr Soin.

"We are anti-discrimination. We are anti anti-anything," Ms Singam said passionately.

The current crisis at Aware is also not about "women fighting against women", the group noted, but should instead serve as a wake-up call for all civil society actors.

As advocates for issues that would benefit society, civil societies are "responsible for being transparent and accountable", said Dr Soin.

The right way to go about advancing an issue was to work together within the organisation even when there were differing viewpoints, she added, and not "stealthily taking over", as the focus eventually turned on the new Exco.

Dr Soin said: "There seems to be an ideological divide. It would have been more easily bridged if they had come in as members, gave us their viewpoints, see what they feel is objectionable and argue with us."

The new Exco has not stated in exact terms what its agenda is and how it is going to carry it out, she added.

This demand, which had been made since the issue was reported, has now led to an online petition to opposed the new Exco at the upcoming extraordinary general meeting on May 2 — started by one of its founding members, Vivian Wee.

The Old Guard described the petition as "an expression of how civil society works".

That more than 500 Singaporeans and foreigners have signed up is an indication they are "not happy with how things have worked out" since the elections, said Dr Soin.

Declining to speculate on whether the bid to overthrow the Exco would be successful, Ms Margaret Thomas, a founding member and past vice-president, said the Old Guard would have a slate of new candidates ready.

Ms Dana Lam, a past president, also took issue with the current Exco's firing of staff. Noting that Aware has always been run by "dedicated" volunteers, she said: "We are not a corporation. We don't hire and fire."

Behind the barbs against the new Exco, however, there remained that notable a tinge of regret about the current crisis at Aware.

The Old Guard were sideswiped because it has traditionally been "too trusting" and "welcomed all new blood", said Dr Soin.

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/316013.asp

Aware's public education officer quits

2009-04-25T08:12:00.000+08:00

Today Weekend • April 25, 2009

ESTHER NG

estherng@mediacorp.com.sg

SHE was barely two months into the job before Aware's centre manager Schutz Lee was sacked.

The reasons, according to Aware vice-president Charlotte Wong: Insubordination, blocking the president's email and poor performance — allegations rebutted by Ms Lee.

"It was mostly performance-based," Ms Wong told Today. She said she was alerted to Ms Lee's performance by volunteer Lilian Wong who had helped out during the transition.

"Let me give you an example: I've been receiving irate calls from people, who, when signing up as ordinary members online, got a `student membership' message," said Ms Wong. "They were not students, but this problem has been ongoing for some time. As vice-president, I am concerned about these things."

The association has student, ordinary, associate and life memberships.

On Friday, Ms Lee refuted the charges. "Firstly, I'm not a techie person. If there's a problem, I'll call the vendor," she said, adding that the problem had existed for almost a year and she had got the vendor to look into it.

As to the charge of locking Aware president Josie Lau out of the organisation's email system, Ms Lee said: "Charlotte comes to the office every day unlike Josie. On April 17, Charlotte asked me for the password to the president's email. I gave her the password, the same one which I had given to (former president) Constance Singam — this was around 4.30pm. She spent around half-an-hour trying to access the email, but couldn't."

So, Ms Lee contacted their webmaster, who "created a password immediately" and gave it to Ms Wong before the vice-president left the premises.

As for insubordination,Ms Wong said Ms Lee corrected the president when she was making a statement to the media on April 15. Ms Lau had told the press that she was "delighted to have been elected", at which point, Ms Lee pointed out that Ms Lau had been "appointed".

Ms Lee, 41, said she had worked with many chief executives as a public relations consultant and marketing director, and it was her job to correct them when they were wrong.

"Is this insubordination?" she asked.

Ms Lee's contract was due to expire on May 31.

The acrimonious exit ofMs Lee saw Aware's public education executive Joanna D'Cruz also throw in the towel on Friday.

Said Ms D'Cruz: "It was the way they fired Schutz so easily. I was scared — this is my first job. I'm quite outspoken and I don't like confrontations ... I don't want to be fired."

Aware has appointed a new manager, Ms Magdalene Teo, a member of Church of Our Saviour.

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/316009.asp

AWARE Old Guard say they feel responsible for what has happened

2009-04-24T22:12:00.000+08:00

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

AWARE exco says centre's services unaffected by new security system

2009-04-24T19:08:00.001+08:00

By Cheryl Lim, Channel NewsAsia Posted: 24 April 2009 1908 hrs

SINGAPORE: The new exco of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) has given the assurance that the services which the organisation provides to the public at its office in Dover Crescent will not be affected by the installation of a new security system.

On Thursday night, the exco ordered the centre's locks to be changed, drawing huge objections from members of the Old Guard.

The new exco said only eight members will be able to access the centre after opening hours using the new electronic keys. They also defended their decision to fire the centre's manager, Schutz Lee.

AWARE vice president, Charlotte Wong, told Channel NewsAsia on Friday that Ms Lee would not take instructions from them.

While they prefer to discuss with Ms Lee about her job performance privately, the former manager had wanted them to explain their reasons in front of several members of the Old Guard on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, online forums are abuzz with activity. Netizens have started a petition, encouraging others to support their campaign against the new exco.

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.

But the Old Guard members in AWARE said what has happened with the group is a threat to Singapore's pluralistic society.

A statement just released on Friday said the Old Guard members are glad that the "truth is finally out" – that the new AWARE exco members had a "planned takeover... guided by a feminist mentor".

It added that "this cannot be the way forward for Singapore", which "cannot have people acting like moral vigilante running around and taking over established organisations".

The Old Guard, in a statement read by member Margaret Thomas on Friday evening, also challenged Dr Thio Su Mien, who has said she is the "feminist mentor" to the new exco, to form her own organisation to offer her points of view.

They also said the challenge should have been "done properly" by writing in to AWARE or by inviting the organisation to discuss the programmes.

Separately, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Hwee Hua is of the view that the AWARE saga is not a national dispute and should not upset the balance and tenor of Singapore's open, tolerant and secular society.

In an email response to Channel NewsAsia, Mrs Lim said the dispute in AWARE is an internal matter, something which the members themselves would have to address.

She stressed that AWARE members should not allow these disagreements to become a vehicle for contentious, divisive views to be pushed aggressively.

Mrs Lim, who is also Second Minister for Finance and Transport, said this would polarise society and have a very adverse effect on Singapore's social fabric.

Also asked about his take on the issue is Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean who stressed the need for all interest groups in Singapore to put their points of view across in a tolerant way and not force their views on others.

Mr Teo did not touch on the specifics, but said that Singaporeans need to learn to live with others who have different views.

- CNA/so

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/424660/1/.html

23 April 2009 Press conference transcript

2009-04-24T10:49:00.001+08:00

Transcript from Aware Press Conference 23/4/09 (Part 1)

I'm sorry. I know nothing about this press conference. I'm a member of the exco and...to be an exco meeting right now... got this call to say that some press conference... I'm an exco member, okay, and I meant to be some...announcement...because I meant to...presentation alongside...at this time. You led me to believe I meant to be presenting something to you with...exco right now.

I-Jin, we note your comments and I request that you take a seat.

Do I hv a right of reply as we make this on behalf of my association, this presentation?

I-Jin, this is internal matters btwn us. I think it's best that we settle it outside and separately from the media.

How internal is it If I've been kept in the dark and Josie has not replied any of my e-mails?

I-Jin, the truth is that this was called very very late. If the press cud even verify that it was called at a very very late stage.

So why is it Caris is sitting...doesn't even know about it?

But there are ppl in the office running the meeting right now, the vice-president.

But why does...even know about this?

I guess, ok, I-Jin, I guess the media has been wanting to hear from the new faces and this meeting is called to address all the questions the media hv about the new faces. And as you're an Old Guard, and the Old Guard has had their field day giving the media stories upon stories & info which are totally & utterly inaccurate, so this is our chance to talk to the media. So I wud appreciate that you leave this room...

I hv not been part of hte Old Guard argument. I've been with you in the exco. Okay, I happen to be Old Guard or in a sense that I'm an old member but I think I was going to table at the meeting today that you address these qns to save us further embarrassment, okay. So I'm with you, that you shud make this, I'm all for this. I just don't appreciate not being told.

I-Jin, if you're for us in the interest of the exco, pls take a seat. Thank you.

Good evening, members of the media. We apologise for this late notice in calling this briefing but I appreciate everybody's attendance. And we call this meeting in haste because we feel that we shud not delay any more in disclosing something very serious to the public about Aware. And in tonight's briefing we will talk about exco experience with Old Guard, what is Aware today, what does this exco aim to do and interactions with the media. Before we move fwd, I'd like to introduce the members at this table: Josie Lau, our president. She does not need further introduction. To her right is Maureen Ong, who's the honorary treasurer. To my right is Jenica Chua. She's the honorary secretary. And at the right of the table is Dr Thio Su Mien. Dr Thio is a supporter of families. So I'd like to start right now by our President addressing exco's experience with the Old Guard for the last 3 and a half weeks.

Josie Lau: Friends of the media, thank you for coming at such late last minute notice. I had said in my 1st & last intvw after being appointed as President of Aware that I did not get involved in Aware to be engaged in controversies. And so far I've kept a very stoic & dignified silence. But with the recent happenings of events, I've no choice, it left me no choice to break this silence & come out publicly to say what's been happening. And this is actually something that cud hv been resolved internally btwn the Old Guard & the New Guard in a very polite and civil way. But that has not happened. I'll tell you so far I've only been appointed President for about a week & I've only been an exco member for about 3 weeks. But to date I've only been met with hostility, intimidation. I felt so bullied I tell you. I will tell you what's happening. My family received death threats and it's now a police case. Each day I fear for the physical safety of my children, my family. There's even a blog site detailing my children's names and which school they go to. I don't understand what has sparked this irrational fear of us, the new exco members, and what hatred. If you're a parent you will understand how I feel. I feel so indignant. All I wanted to do is to serve the community & be a member of this Aware, to push for the cause of women. Do I deserve this? Death threat? What has Spore become? Is this what we want in Spore? And I'll tell you as President I hv an official president@aware.org.sg email. Guess what? The secretariat has locked me out. I hv confronted the secretariat. The secretariat has been fired, okay. I'll tell you I've my fellow cttee members here who'll share with you their own experience, how they've been subjected to hostility & uncooperative staff members in the last 3 weeks, and all we wanted is to push & start work & get going with our work. But will they allow us? No. They've just been pushing & pushing us, badgering us all the time.

Jenica, do you want to share your experience?

Jenica Chua: I want to put it forth that I came to join Aware because I felt that when I reach a certain age it's impt to contribute to society, to Spore to help other women. And we're in a difficult economic situation. So I went to Aware. I've been Aware member for over 2 yrs now. I went for the executive cttee position. And to my utter horror, after I was elected there were a lot of allegations about my link to 377A. I don't know why it came out in the press. But because of, I've written many things to the press. I've written about technology index & other areas, but the only thing that came out on the 10th affer the exco was elected was the fact I wrote to 377A and there was a homosexual slant to it. The next day I recd a death threat. They threatened to harm my loved ones. The person said that he has now joined a jihadist. He's anti-Christian & he will find ways to harm my family, my loved ones. And all I did was to join a women's association. It's a women's association to help women. And I felt very intimidated. Why did this happen? I'm a normal Sporean like any other of you. Why shud this happen to me? And it never stopped. Three days ago my company's corporate communications person called me. Somebody wrote an e-mail to my company to say that because of my involvement in Aware it's bad for the company's reputation & urged the company to take action against me. So now it's evolved to a threat. And becos of that I couldn't sleep for many nights. I felt very harassed. And all I did, the only thing I did was to join Aware. I don't understand this. I thought I joined a women's association to help women. And throughout this difficult period we had a lot of wrestles becos the previous president kept changing the timing for the exco to meet. It went to & fro, to & fro, and I was like stuck in btwn as the secretary. I don't understand.

Josie Lau: I think Lois you may hv some experience too.

Lois Ng: Members of the press, suddenly I feel that it's a crime to be a Christian & to hold an exco position. I'm a Christian. I've made no bones about it. It's been reported in the paper & it's also reported in my website. But I'm now on the hit list of this operation level. I've been termed a leper. And this blogger has gone online to garner support to boycott my business. And I run a biz for ppl with disabilities. They include the autistic, ppl with below average IQ, ppl with physical disability. And we make a living by producing creative & quality gifts for the corporate & tourist mkt. And this person has gone online & extracted info from the ST and listed my working address, which is at High Point in Geylang and also my customers, their tel nos & their addresses & he's asked ppl to boycott my biz & to even make verbal & written complaints to my clients to stop buying from me. And he says this is to teach me a lesson for joining Aware because I'm a Christian. I'm shocked. Spore is a multiracial society. We embrace diversity in religion. My religion is a pte matter. It's got nothing to do with my work in Aware. And I joined Aware becos I've been asked to help Aware start up a social enterprise, to create employment for women, esp women with, singles with children, unmarried women & women who are lowly educated. And I come in to create employment for them. I did not expect to be on their hit list and my life and my staff's lives are also in danger. What is happening to our society right now? What is happening? Can someone explain this irrational & dangerous move by some small group of ppl?

Josie Lau: Maureen has something to add too.

Maureen Ong: Mine is not as bad as theirs. But really we've been trying very hard to get on with the work and we hv been hampered from doing so. We've recd numerous complaints from ppl who are trying to register as members. Either they cannot get into the website or they get replies from the website saying that...women are registered as students. In the first place there's no category called student membership. You're either an ordinary member who can vote, or you're an associate member who cannot vote. So we really don't know what's happening. And when we asked the website host company for further info, we're told that we cannot ask them for info becos they only will communicate with either Constance Singam or Tanli(??) who is no longer with Aware, or Joanna Wong which is the PR asst. So there's no recognition of us, either the President, the VP, or any of the new exco members.

There's also an issue of the bandwidth. When we checked further why there was difficulty in accessing the website, we were told that the bandwidth was only 5 gigabytes. And that's quite ridiculous for an association like Aware. And becos of that, the website was down from 18 Apr to 19 Apr. And then the website, the bandwidth was increased. So these are some of the instances when we try very hard to do our work & yet we're hampered from doing so. Thank you.

Members of the press, we've given you brief statements of experiences working with Aware for the last 3 and a half weeks. And the next point, what we want to do is that Josie will address to tell you more about what is Aware today.

Josie Lau: Now what's with Aware today? What does it stand for? Frankly not many ppl know. Because it's been kept to such a small group of ppl. As of end of last Dec it was only about some 260 plus ppl. Now you're wondering why Dr Thio Su Mien is here today. I think I will leave it to her to tell you her perspective of what's going on with Aware.

Thio Su Mien: Good evening. I'm here as feminist mentor to women in the workplace. In the last 10 yrs I've been encouraging(??) women so that they become, released into society, to contribute to society. And it's not an easy task to get women becos of the work balance to contribute. Having found this group of women, quite disparate group, becos I teach all over Spore & I counsel all over Spore & training ppl and I was able to...system in... I'm outraged. I'm absolutely outraged that very group of women take time off to contribute to society they get this kind of ferocious attack. I don't understand. I don't understand what has come of our ppl. In my counselling practice I find that many of our young men & women are... They're very wounded, they're very hurt. And there's this rage that's in them... But I never expected the degree & the level of attack of ppl which has served the community. So I'm just wondering what is the cause of this ferocity in attacking ppl. And I believe that it's caused...that there is an agenda in Aware. Aware was formed 26 years ago by my friends, my contemporaries. And it's done great work in so many areas. And in 1998(??), membership was about 700 odd, which was very well. Suddenly in 2006 it sort of declined; 2007, it declined to 200 odd ppl. And in 2008 there was an AGM where they sought to introduce to give men the vote in a women's orgn where the objective is to represent all the women of Spore & not a small proportion of women. And you know that women form about 50% of our population. So we must focus our attention on promotion of the rights of women. To my horror I found that they want to introduce men into a women's society. And the very strange thing was that at that meeting there were only 25(??) members who turned up at that meeting - AGM 2008. So I started looking into the affairs of Aware to see what's happening to this orgn which my friends hv set up. And not only hv they set it up and my name is here, one of the women we honoured, becos I was a pioneer feminist. I was first law dean. Subsequent years, probably a female, woman who runs one of the largest law firms in Spore. But I sit on the boards of many public listed companies. I was also at one time a member of the Asian Devt Board tribunal. And I was also judge of the World Bank. I served it for 8 yrs and retired as senior VP of the World Bank administrative tribunal...with some standing to speak about this because in Cedaw this is this thing about promoting women into positions of leadership. And under...there is this 30 to 35% rule which I thought, wow, we hv a legal document whereby we can promote the cause of women, bring all the young women into leadership positions. But with the economic crisis there's also this desire to help those who are disadvantaged. When women & men are retrenched, we want to make sure that not women are retrenched. There needs to be an even hand in this. So there are many many issues that we need to look to. And I find to my dismay that Aware seems to be only very interested on...and the advancement of homosexuality, which is a man's issue and how it came under Aware is quite covert. ...when Aware sponsored the film Spider Lilies. Spider Lilies is a film by 2 lesbians who fell in love. One is a tattooist and the only one is a virtual sex worker. When a parent saw this film... He wrote to Today and he asked why is Aware showing this film becos he's got a teenage daughter. I think it really troubled him. And lo and behold...is that this is part of a comprehensive sexual education. So then it became kind of impt that they shud know what is in this prog. And this prog is already in schools, 30 schools whereby they are using this prog. But from what she said, the suggestion is that in this prog, young girls from 12 to 18 are taught that it's ok to experiment with each other. And this is something which...parents in Spore. Are we going to hv an entire...of lesbians? I hv nothing against lesbians or homosexuals personally. On a personal front, I've given ministered, I've counselled them. So you need to understand I'm not talking about... They are in pain. And very often...where you hv abusive fathers, they do things with their daughters and the daughters revolt, rebel against society. We understand this is what it's all about. It's the people, the pain of people...

...It's the people, the pain of people, the woundedness(??) of people and all this is not, you know, it brings out a reach(??). So if you need proof that Aware has actually moved to...you have this male sexual programmes and workshops which was inducted under the auspices of Aware in 2008 by a Finnish activist and he was talking about the sensitivity, how...about sensitivity, sexual...and so on. Now, Finland has a law. I think you need to know this...law is now...should we have state-funded artificial insemination for women... So this is under discussion, I do not know whether they passed this into law. So these are issues, are you for or not, for homosexualism and... The only question is what are we talking about? Are we talking about same-sex marriage? Are we talking about...taxpayers' monies abused...you could say a man and woman, they can go for...for whatever you call it, so what about us? So I think this whole thing we need to discuss it, bring it up openly and discuss in a different time. So I believe that...focus which is like...set up by my friends that they will go back to look after the majority, all women, all women of Singapore...all the women. So my...is that can we refocus on the excellent objectives of Aware? Go back to its original purpose for it...for it being an NGO? So I leave that because I think I've just raised a comment.

Okay. Thank you, Su Mien.

We move to the third point: What this Aware Exco aim to do?

Again, in my last interview, I said Aware has lost its focus but I think I was being very polite when I said that. It has really not lost its focus but I think it has gone further than that, much, much further than that. It has now become a single-objective organisation. So that's what the new team is here to do: we want to bring Aware back to its original very noble objective which is to represent all women, to advance their cause, all women whatever religion and race in areas such as professional development, their private life, their health and Singapore does have an Asian population. We need to look at the ageism, all the problems. Look at women who have some slight diabetes the minute they hit certain age, their insurance premium no longer make any sense for them. So we should be pushing those cause and I think with almost 50 per cent of our population in Singapore being women we really have to refocus back on our bread and butter issue where everyday women on the street cares about. So, I think we want, we are really serious about getting started on our work but we haven't been able to do so for the last three weeks and I hope from this press conference the new team can start to work seriously on how we could bring this association to a higher level of recognition amongst the Singaporean woman.

Thank you, Josie. Right now, we'll give 30 minutes to the media to ask more questions. You have answered some and then when you're going to ask a question, please go to the mike and introduce yourself, your name and the paper or the media that you're representing.

Sumiko?

Q: I'm Sumiko from Straits Times.

Q: Hi...lesbian event for Aware...that Aware had supported...

Lesbianism...homosexual...men as well...I think latest post amendments, constitutional amendments, it is proposed to give men the vote. It is also proposed to give women to vote and what is very bizarre, it wants to get teenagers to vote. But for teenagers join Aware, they have to get parental consent. We thought it's very odd. So you are a woman's organisation. Normally membership is required...ordinary members are allowed to vote and associate members who did not qualify but we wish to encourage. So there is this sudden shift to give men the vote. Why? Are the men masquerading? Is the homosexual activist men coming under the umbrella of Aware? So if you look inside of their materials, the language now is always men and women, men and women.

Yes, because we're inclusive.

Yes.

What do you mean by inclusive? Don't throw words at me. This is a woman's organisation. We should concentrate on the position. Of course when we intereact, let's say you organise a forum on discrimination of women in a place of work, you certainly would like to have men participate but we don't need to prove that everything we do it must be in the objectives. Now, it is in our objectives when it is lesbianism that you want to encourage, they could form a separate organisation and if the men want to push the homosexual agenda, they can form their own organisation. But this is for women. Fifty per cent of the population of Singapore are women and we are interested in advancing the cause of women in the political, economic and social spheres. We have done reasonably well in the sphere of education and public health maybe but there are areas like politics and civil service where the women have got their...because in Cedaw,, which is the convention that (a) seek the elimination of discrimination, it's written...which Singapore is fine. It says that all nations which have signed Cedaw should try to get to a level of 30 per cent or 55 per cent of women in... So this to me would inspire those to know that they can fulfil their potential. You know, in my times a long time ago, because meritocracy, I'm grateful that at this age I'm able to...even...when I passed the law school, I was the first batch of students and the current Chief Justice Chan Sek Kiong and Professor Tommy Koh who is obviously ambassador-at-large... So no quarters were given, no quarters...us four were great friends. But, you know, when I applied a job in university, it was special scholarship to train me...scholarship to get equally qualified, then you do your masters which incidentally happens to be of equality before the law, I come full circle and one, when I go to Harvard and planned to get my LLM. So the Vice Chancellor was very upset when was name was proposed because he said... Are you sure you want her? You know, she's going to get married. I think she will not do the job. And I'm grateful that the Law Dean at that time, Mr Wong Long Tan was willing to let me have a go at that. If I served...worked up my...and worked up my...never was an issue. But there was a type of discrimination and also I think even in younger generation... When girls applied for scholarships, he will say, why don't you do English or history or arts, don't do law. We want the law reserved, the law scholarships to be reserved for men. So there is this...discrimination. But my own line, I look at... and I would like young ladies of today to have type of probably an environment where they could rise. We want more Lim Hwee Huas, we want more Chan Heng Chees, all these women who inspire us.

So can I clarify that your evidence of Aware promoting homsexuality and lesbianism is down to the fact that you want to give men...

Well, there must be more to it.

Okay, I can add. Now late last year Aware set up a new subcommittee called Singles in Singapore and I'm reading from what...has written to the previous year's Exco. Okay, the introduction, Aware, as you understand, Aware is a research advocacy association, so we want to advocate for more rights for singles and I...it is no secret that Singapore...and public policies actively discriminate against the state of singlehood. There is a perceived demonisation of a single person and the problem of singles is usually discussed in terms of a single female. There are other categories of singles that they want to explore and find out what are the challenges are, issues particular to single men and in also our previous Exco meeting, because the coordinator of the singles was chaired by Chew EeJin, at the end of the, at the end of the previous year, a new Exco has been appointed and all subcommittee...and new coordinators will be appointed and I have also expressed that I'm a single and I have a very single experience, I'm a single entrepreneur, I have taken care of my aged parents and I know the difficulties and challenges that singles face. So I will express that I also want to be a coordinator. So this huge fight and in one of the Exco meetings, Ee Jin expressed that one of the key areas that they want to look into is to give equal benefits, is to come up with research and data to present to the government, to give equal benefits to singles who want to adopt children. So again...

I didn't say that, I didn't say that. Okay? You haven't even heard my presentation which I've prepared tonight. You have challenged me on something you know nothing about.

It was discussed in Exco and it is I believe all the Exco members heard it.

...Okay. There is only the men, the word men appears only at one time in this complete presentation out of our good conscience that we should not ignore men. But the entire research is on women.

Ee Jin, Aware is an association for women. The men do not need the women to fight for them, to fight for more rights or to have state-funded artificial insemination or other benefits.

...we want to, we are actually quite thrilled that you have taken this incredible ludicrous conclusions to the kind of work...

We have here an e-mail which is a paper that you presented to the previous year's Exco members. So Sumiko wants it...

...everybody...

Thank you very much. I think this...we move on to another question. Does anybody else have another question?

She has something to say.

Jenica. In answer to this question?

Yes.

Okay.
Transcript from Aware Press Conference on 23/4/09 (Part 2)

The question is how do we know Aware has moved towards a very focused homosexual agenda. Before I start, I just want to show you the data that I got. This is the data that...I reported to the police, I think the police...it was very tough and it came from someone who is a gay, very against me. Why? I only got elected into a woman's association, right? So if I have not...why is everybody pulling out a letter which I wrote two years ago on 377A. I wrote many articles. You can check Straits Times...

Reporters have e-mailed or...

...It's a letter posted to the Aware centre. It's posted by e-mail.

Was it handwritten?

It was typed. It's now handed over to the police...

You said it was a...but...

The words are taken are extracts from the letter. In the letter the person profess himself as a gay.

But what has got to do with Aware...?

Ya. My question...

This is the question.

...That is what my point. I joined Aware. Okay, I want to put a very positive point across and I want to represent the entire Exco, the new members that got elected... At the AGM, none of us talked about our religious...although there was a lot of press, none of us talked about gay, lesbianism, none of us. But we were questioned by the Old Guards in the elections, please state whether you're anti-gay or anti-lesbian. That was a question that was insisted by the Old Guards to be answered by all the persons who run for elections and was only turned down because someone else from the floor protested that is not constitutional because Aware is supposed to be all-encompassing.

And it's irrelevant.

Why this great obsession with lesbiansm, homosexuality.

Perhaps each of you have one?

I would like to go on to a few points because of all this intense episodes, I went to do some further research of what Aware has done over the past few years. Besides...which was one thing, the other point was the comprehensive sexual education. This has been reached out to 30 schools. And in the schools they taught them things like, okay, homosexualism... Now, I'm not sure about you but if I'm a...I'm very concerned teaching such things to...18 years old. I'm not sure whether parents know what their children are learning. In addition to these points, we talked about Mother's Day. What is your idea of Mother's Day. If Aware is an all-encompassing organisation, how did we celebrate Mother's Day? In 2006, Aware celebrated Mother's Day by inviting lesbian-friendly mothers and lesbian bosses to talk about their experience. When Aware wanted to conduct health education courses, they wanted to warn women about HIV, they invited Alex Au, the once famous homosexual activist from Yawning Bread to talk about HIV. Now in addition last year 2008 Constance Singam spoke of membership to...in the month of July 2008 and she also publicised in Aware newsletter that she's going to talk to SG Butterfly which is a group of Queer Women, travestite women. Now, I've got a lot of other little points but this is what I found out and this came out a lot because of the intense, this intense period which I went through. It's very difficult for me. I never thought that a letter which I wrote two years ago about just one event - 377A - could have such repercussions. Why this obsession about whoever who talk to the press? I did not talk to the press. I don't know who talked to the press. In the press, it was mentioned that one of the Old Guards, Nancy Griffins, said that in the AGM I was asked "Do you accept homosexuality?" And I said, "No". Now this is false. We are now getting the audio transcript churned out but in no way in the AGM did I say anything about homosexuality, no way. Why did you discredit me? And also, there was also a posting that says that I posted to trevvy.com, a homosexual theme website. I didn't post to trevvy.com. So I'm very puzzled why the press has picked up this slant when all I did was run a woman's association.

Sorry, you have a question?

Can I just add, Sandra, before you say? My question is also to the media. Why is SPH newspaper, you know, pushing the envelope of our anti-gay story when they knew Exco was elected? And the stories were all one-sided and full of inaccuracies. How many of the people attended the AGM? At the AGM we were grilled on our religious affiliation. We were asked if we were anti-gay and we were told that because you are a Christian, you do not embrace the culture and the ethos of Aware. Do I need to say more?

Sandra.

Sandra Davie: Ya. Hi, I'm Sandra Davie, journalist with the Straits Times. I'm curious, Dr Thio, what's your relationship to the Exco members? And are you speaking in your personal capacity or are you speaking on behalf of the Exco? It's not very clear to me.

Dr Thio: Okay, can I make it clear? I'm speaking on behalf of my personal capacity and I wanted to come because I feel kind of responsible for these difficulties they're going through because I was the one who mentored them over the years different groups of people. You know, I'm talking about 10 years kind of thing. So I go round Singapore teaching, counselling. So when all this problem about CSE and the...came forth, and it's not that I read parent's letter, then I started thinking: Hey, parents, you better know what's happening, you better know what's happening. And then lots of things cropped up. If you have time go and have a look at it. It is in the section of 10 to 14 years old and it's a very...of the mind. But anyway, I talked to parents, I said, you better do something about this, otherwise your daughter will come back and say, "Mum, I want to marry my girlfriend" or your son will say, "Dad, I want to marry my boyfriend." So they kind of got flabbergasted, what nonsense are they talking. So you know, I teach...well, maybe should go to the website, educate yourself what's happening. It's happening in the US, in Europe, there's nothing new. It's going on five, six, seven, eight, nine years. So what is happening in society is that we are redefining marriage, we are redefining families. So I'm a concerned citizen and if people are so ignorant, I think I want to teach them.

Sandra Davie: So, so it's your opinion, your personal opinion. But you said that you mentored these women. Can I know where and?

Dr Thio: Oh, all over Singapore. I teach...

(cont'd in 'traware3')

cont. from 'traware2'

Dr Thio : ...I'm a concerned citizen & if people are so ignorant, I think I want to teach them.

Q: Ok, so it's your opinion, your personal opinion. But you said that you mentored these women. Can I know where &.

Dr Thio: Oh, all over Spore. I teach all over the place. Like Maureen, I never saw her until recently when somebody brought her becos I said you guys, you better pay some attention to what's happening to your children. Josie of cos is kind of related to me but she, you know, I had to nag her over the years, can you spend, you know, I know you got lots of problem(??), family, you got a job, why don't you also give a little of yourself & ok, it can go on but.

Lois: Yes, we'd like to give the opportunity to other media. There are 2 from the ST already.

Q: I'm from LHZB. I've 2 qns. Just now...you mentioned that...related to Josie...can we just clarify how you hv known her over the years? How hv you known Josie over the yrs...

Dr Thio: Oh, she's married to Dr Chin who received the death threat. Alan Chin is my nephew.

Q: Alan Chin is your nephew.

Dr Thio: Yes. And he also had a death threat. And my family also has death threat. Very interesting, is it? When you speak up against these issues, you get death threats. So my qn is, why are we getting death threats? You shud go & explore that & give an answer. Why? Why is it Jenica gets a death threat?

Q: And my 2nd qn is it seems that the new exco & the old exco seems to hv, even before the AGM, you hv differing views & why didn't the new exco, why...set up a new org. all by itself, why did you go up & stand for running in the new exco & in the media's words, take over...

Jenica: I just want to get the point: we are proposed, we are seconded & we are duly elected into the exco. Aware is a woman's org. We are women. We came to join women & I don't think I hv to defend that. Now if there is a very small proportion of old guards who are very upset with certain directions, I think they hv to respect the fact that we hv been elected in, we are the new exco & we do want to make changes. In fact, if you come to our EGM, we will share more about our plans.

: I guess we hv to be direct about this. No point, you know, beating around the bush.

Maureen: As Dr Thio has mentioned, I don't know Su Mien, I don't know Josie & I don't know the rest. I came into the picture becos somebody told me that, you know, oh, something is happening that affects children & I am a mother of 3 children. So I'm concerned that going fwd, what are the children going to be taught on, as part of the so-called comprehensive sexual education. I don't want my children to say that oh, it's all right to go & experiment with homosexuality, to experiment with anal sex, ya, to experiment with virginity or the pill or even pre-marital sex. I'm concerned. I'm a parent. It's shocking. How can this be done in our Spore society? Most of us are conservative. I am not afraid to say I'm a conservative person. I go to church, yes, but that is my religious belief. My belief system, my religious belief is personal to me. I did not go to Aware to push my religious belief. I went to Aware becos I was concerned about what was happening with the CSE and in particular, I went to the Aware AGM becos there were proposals to give the vote to men, to give the vote to foreign women, to give the vote to teenagers bet. 15 to 18 yrs old. Why are these being proposed in a woman's org? Why is the objective of it? All these pple, the men, the foreign women, the teenagers are already in the so-called inclusive, all-inclusive membership as associate members. Why is there a need to go a step further & give them votes & give them the ability to stand as officer bearers? I simply don't understand that. And it's becos of this, I went to the Aware AGM to do that & when the elections came up, there was a position for Hon. Treasury. You hv seen my CV. I've been in the finance line for 30 yrs. It was a position which I felt I cud contribute & therefore I stood for election. And that was how it came about.

Q: This qn is for Dr Thio...you said you were concerned about happenings at Aware over time. Did you then maybe, just out of curiosity, maybe mobilise members to join via email or whatever before the AGM...

Dr Thio: Yes, I'm sure you think it's so easy. It's like extracting teeth to get pple interested in things of public affairs becos Sporeans are very passive...so you tell them, ya, it's like, you know, like a glass over the eyes. So of cos I, as I said, I work with different(??) groups so I sent them emails & explain & I teach(??). If they are not interested, there's nothing I can do about that. But I think the time has come. You see, if you know what's happening in the US & what's happening in Europe, you know, there was a case of a father who went to school & said to the principal, when you teach on homosexuality or anal sex in the classroom, can you pls take my 6-yr-old son out of the classroom. Like Spore, you know, if you teach certain race(??), then the Muslim child will go out & so on. So they hv the same kind of policy. So what happened in that case of David Parker was that he went to see the principal by appointment & said, can you give me an assurance that my 6-yr-old son will be taken out? The principal said no. So they called the superintendent. He said no. We will not give you the assurance. So he said, in that case, I will sit here. So they called the police & he was arrested and he was fined. Then what happened was that the 6-yr-old boy was accosted by a group of 6-yr-old boys in that school becos many of the parents were homosexual parents and they took the 6-yr-old boy to the back & they beat him up. This is very frightening. And I think it's come here. With the death threats that we are getting. Just becos you speak on this issue, you get a death threat. You get a threat. Even before this, a university lecturer who wrote on a piece on equal protection of the law, purely technical pc of article, it's available now. You know what happened to her? Various pple, and I don't want to name them, various pple wrote in to the law faculty & said, you hv a dim wit here, intellectual midget. All of us are not coming to NUS becos you hv such poor quality lecturers.

This is what they do in America. If you read, you will find these are the tactics approach(??) & it's happened to our own pple.

Q: We need to ask, why didn't you run for a position in the exco since you are...

Q: Dr Thio, are you part of the new exco?

Dr Thio: No.

: No.

Q: Ya, so why didn't you run for a position in the exco? Why get other pple...you hv such strong views about everything & you are speaking on their behalf.

Dr Thio: No, I'm not speaking. I'm speaking on my behalf.

Maureen: I also want to make a pt clear. We are not puppets of Dr Thio. We are mature, thinking professional women. We join Aware to stand for a cause that we believe in, ya, & it is not easy for us to just listen to Dr Thio & say we go. We hv to search ourselves & make decisions for ourselves.

Q: Sure, Maureen, I accept that...except that I still don't understand why she didn't run for an exco position, someone with her qualifications & background?

Lois: Honestly, Aware is too small an outfit for her & it's for newbies like us.

Q: But...orchestrated, plan it before hand? She said she sent emails to you...

Oh, ya, ya.

Q: Is Dr Thio like the organiser?

Josie: I will place on record, no.

Dr Thio: No, no, it depends on what you mean by organiser. Actually it's kind of flattering, in a way. Ok, what I did was I'm frustrated, you see. I talk to pple, they got glass eyes, oh, ok, live & let live so not my responsibility. And they hv children & they don't care. So almost like they're quite blind. So I nag them, I talk to them, I talk to the husband &...So what I did is that I put down, collect info, I send to different pple. So it's up to you. You want to join? You go & join. If you want me to help you, I will help you. So I'm quite happy with that becos you see, you suddenly discovered that networking helps, that if there's a view we want, we network thru' the email. And I certainly hv come out from the Jurassic Park becos I'm quite proficient with the email & I think it is an efficient way of educating pple.

Q: ...Dr Thio, are you implying that all this is sort of, it's planned, that...you hv thought of it for a long time, that you hv planned all this?

Dr Thio: No, no. No, no, I have better things to do than this, ok? I hv to earn a living, I work & I do a lot of other things. But the idea came I think round about when this AGM took place & there were 29(??) pple. So I said, what's happening.

Q: 2008.

Dr Thio: I think it was 2008. Then I was.

: Ok, ya, I think it's enough. Wait, wait...impt, yes....

Lois: I know that (o-o) wants to know what is Dr Thio's role. The reason why we called this press conf is to address the issues that you hv. There's been lots of allegations that the group, anti-gay & Christians & Dr Thio, so we hv nothing to hide & this is the reason why we are here &.

Q: Lois, I'm sorry. You haven't answered a lot of qns...

Lois: You know, this is such a, the Aware saga is long-drawn & it has raised lots of qns & I think there are also qns that the media need to ask yourself. Why the strong, unusually strong reaction...

: Lois.

: Let her ask...

Lois: Ok, to a group of pple who hv taken over, I mean, become elected into a new c'ttee. Ok, Sandra, my president has asked that you be allowed to ask...

Josie: I think if you hv qns, this is the platform for you to address.

Q: Ya, ok, I think part of the maybe suspicion or negative comments you're getting comes from pple feeling that this was a takeover, that it was orchestrated & so on. So naturally we want to know since Dr Thio said that she had known you all before, she had mentored you all & she had sent you all emails, or several pple emails asking whether they wud..

Josie: I will tell you my personal story, Sandra.

Q: Ya, and looks like she's been thinking of this since last year, after the AGM so, you know, I'm not saying that she's planning this takeover but on the other hand, it does look like she had a part to play in this event...

Josie: Let me share with you my story. Ok, I've been married to the family for 20 yrs. We meet occasionally once or twice a year, during Christmas, CNY. And she has been nagging me for the last 15, 20 yrs, are you doing something in the public, contributing back to the community? You hv such a good life. Everything, you're jetsetting all the time. When, and I wasn't ready. Ok, but now my kids are much older, I feel that it's time for me to contribute & when last yr I personally was very very taken aback by the Spider Lilies premiere, as part of Aware's premiere gala & that set me thinking: what actually is Aware doing with all this thing? And when the opportunity came & asked wud you like to serve or join Aware, she said I'll put you in touch with somebody & that was how I got, I didn't even get in touch, it was Claire Nazir who called me & she was looking for somebody to assist her in the area of marketing & that's my area of expertise. And as it turned out, honestly, I did not join Aware thinking that there will definitely be a new exco. I just know that I'm joining aware & if I stand for election & got elected, this is the area where I think I can contribute.

Q: Ok, can I ask 2 qns pls. Fong Meng, from Today...the death threats that you guys received...unfortunate & you're right, it shudn't be happening but to you at this pt, looking back at what's happened, do you think that as a group, the new Aware exco has made a mistake which is obviously you felt very strongly about the issue & there were plans to come in & to serve in this way. So qn No. 1, at the pt when pple were asking, was there an agenda, had the new exco had come out even before the AGM or even immediately after the AGM to say, yes, this is how we...issues, it is when the answers were not given, the integrity of the exco, the new exco came into qn. So do you think you cud hv done something to at least, that's one qn. The other qn, Josie, is about DBS becos DBS has said that the afternoon of the mtg before you were elected as president, you had indicated you planned to stand for election as president. But later on at the Talking Pt programme...

cont. in 'traware4'

...But later on at the Talking Point programme you said that you were the last...standing... Can you clarify this?

Ya, I'll clarify that second part first. Okay. I'm bound by my employment contract not to say anything between me and DBS, so I hope you'll respect that. Now, the Constitution is such that when the president resigns, you can only elect from one of the six ordinary Exco members and I'm one of them. And there is always a possibility that I could be, I don't know. Okay. And that night, the truth of the matter was as we went round the table, we asked everybody: If somebody before me said that she would take it, I would have gladly given it to her because I did not come into Aware to be president, I was just joining Aware to help out with fund-raising and marketing. So when I spoke to my bosses about me being an Exco member because there were already press articles on the 10th of April, which was a Good Friday, and I had to tell my boss that "Oh, I'm an Exco member" and that was it. And then subsequently when it became apparent that it could be one of the six, any of the six and I said I might as well put it in in an application form. But anyway, this is part of my employment, I don't want to talk about it and please, it's off the record. So that night when we had the meeting, even before the meeting started, there were already press outside waiting. Can you imagine if we had walked out and no president elected, the press will say, "Look, this new Exco has no leadership, no one is willing to take over the baton and everything." And that night I had to bite the bullet and go. We went round the meeting, I was the sixth person to be asked. From the No. 1 to the 5th, nobody wanted.

Can I ask your husband's role...?

My husband's? He's just my husband and he's supportive of whatever I do and I never hide the fact that he is my husband. At the AGM itself he was the only man and he said, "I'm here to support my wife." So it's a very open thing.

He's an associate member.

But Dr Thio was saying that, you know, actually shouldn't have males.

No, but he's not there to vote.

Okay. Now let me clarify. Aware shouldn't have males as ordinary members which means they can vote. Aware always have males as associate members. She means that they don't have voting rights.

So this is something that we want the press to maybe understand, the whole issue is about the constitutional amendments which will be advanced at the AGM. Right now the whole story is all about anti-gay, Christian fundamentalists but the whole issue that we want to address is about the proposed amendments to give voting rights to men. Men are already associate members but they have no voting rights. We want to extend voting rights to expatriate women so that they can dictate on what's happening in Singapore and also we want to give voting rights to minors, teenagers from 15 to 18 years old. So we are questioning the Exco members of Aware, the old previous Exco members of Aware or the leadership, Old Guards, what is your rationale because Aware is a women's organisation. If they have an alternative agenda, then perhaps they should set up another outfit and be open about it and pursue their agenda and lobby for support and pressure the government but do not use Aware which is an organisation for women to push their alternative agenda.

Can I add something? The proposal to allow men to vote was actually put up at the 2008 AGM and that AGM was attended by 30 plus people. That proposal was thrown out at the 2008 AGM. And yet it was put up again for the 2009 AGM. The question is who asked for this to be put up again? And why is it being considered again when by a majority it was thrown out at the previous AGM? The other thing I also want to mention is we went there, we stood for election. Under the Constitution, as long as one ordinary member propose and another ordinary member second, anybody who is an ordinary member can stand for election. Whether we would get elected or not depends on all the ordinary members who turned up for the AGM. Dr Thio has said that it is an uphill task to get Singapore women involved in things like that. Singapore women like me, I'm only interested in raising a family, paying off my mortgage, making sure that I can live in Singapore which has got increasing costs. But this Aware is something that caught my attention because I saw an article in the papers where Constance Singam mentioned what are the objectives of Aware. So actually it was the various, the objectives of Aware is a cause for women. But when I heard, when I learned about the developments, the recent programmes like the Comprehensive Sexual Education which is going into our schools, reaching out to girls who are between 12 to 18 years old, it shocked me and it was something which I wanted to find out more about and that was one reason why I signed up to be an Aware ordinary member to attend the AGM, first of all, to understand the original objective that Constance Singam talked about and what is the rationale behind all this CSE programmes and spider release and so on and really what I was puzzled about, why is there a need to allow men to vote. And that was the reason I attended the AGM. And I felt that if I could contribute to society, yes, why not I stand for election. Besides I have counselling experience and so on and I'm also helping out in neighbourhood schools. I have seen how Singapore women are discriminated against. In marriages, I have counselled women who have marital problems and some of them don't even know that they have rights under the Women's Charter. And the children in the neighbourhood schools, I find that many of them come from broken homes. Parents are in prison, you know, and the single mother is actually going through a really tough time in Singapore and therefore it's something which I want also to be able to serve and by joining Aware that is also one of the things. And that's how I stood for election. Whether I could be elected in or not is really a matter of who turn up for the annual general meeting. So if the Old Guard is really that interested, why didn't they turn up at the annual general meeting?

...no comments about...relationship...off the record...very clear, but since DBS has gone on record to say that you did inform them and on Talking Point I said that...you were last woman standing, can we have that on record?

I did not say that. She said that.

No, you said that there were six names and you felt that there was a possibility and you informed the facts. So did you tell... This is a matter of clarification because there's one rumour that's going round that you had lied. Josie, could you clarify that on record, please?

I must clarify since I'm not bounded by a contract. I think I can anwer in my conscience that there was only one person who stood up to run... It was really wonders.

No, her question is did I even tell my bank.

Okay. I just want to say I've also worked in big corporates. Big corporates have got many terms and conditions and usually if you are taking on a position that it in addition to your full-time job, you're required to seek clearance from your employer. When it comes to volunteer work with an NGO, sometimes the employees may not be very clear as to whether they need to get clearance, especially when you don't get any rumuneration and it's really a matter of your own personal time, your volunteer personal time and really your own interest. So what happened if you are going to say that there was anything done wrong by Josie, it was just that she did not submit an application before she stood for election at the Executive Committee. And actually now she has clarified...

You see, I'm put in a very difficult position because...

I was referring to the second time.

Can we deal with it stage by stage? Let Josie say.

I hope you understand I'm in a very difficult position. I'm not allowed to say anything that happened that night.

So don't speak.

Okay, I will take it from there. Okay, any way, Josie put in an application to stand as an Exco member and what was told to her is fine, okay. Then Claire resigned, which means that we have to name a new president. And Josie put in an application to say that she may be elected as, she may be named as the president but at that time nobody knew who was going to be named the president to replace Claire. So we all set the date for the second Exco meeting on 15th April, we all went there. At 6.15 I got a call from Josie and Josie said, "Look, I have a problem with corporate clearance. It's 6.15. Our Exco meeting is at 7.00." And before we even went into the Aware Centre, reporters were all over the place. They were pushing us and there's really no space given to us. If we had gone into the Exco meeting and we came out and said, "Sorry, nobody wants to be president," imagine what that would have done to Aware as a women's organisation. They will say these women don't know what they are doing, they can't even organise themselves. So it is to Josie's credit that she took up the baton, she stepped up to the task and took it. And what was in her mind? Probably it could be something that she could work out with her employer. And then to her horror, DBS just unilaterally made an announcement to say that she has breached her contract, she has gone against instructions. Okay, sorry, I don't want to jeopardise Josie's position.

Can I just clarify...sum up what we have here? So Josie, you did tell the bank that there's a possibility that by evening you would become president but on Talking Point when you said that there was no plan, you were the last woman standing and you gave in. That was because you were bound by the conditions set by your bank, you can't talk about it? I mean they're trying to understand, it's because they're writing the story and this could go several places, they just need to get the points clarified. Thanks.

Okay, this will be the last question because I've just received the latest update. This thing has grown out of proportion. Okay, the police are there right now at Aware Centre and Shultz Lee, our centre manager is raving and is shouting and just refusing to let the vendor replace the security locks. And the Old Guards, many of the Old Guards are on their way there. I believe there's going to be a fight. So I think, I'm so sorry, I think we have to call, make an end to the press conference...

Can a couple of you please stay back because we have certain questions which...and in the interest of transparency we really need...we don't want to be accused of misquoting or not, giving a one-sided story. I have some related questions which I think are very important. Radha from the Straits Times by the way, so I'll be very grateful if a couple of you at least can stay back and address some questions. And yes, we will also want to know what's happening at the Aware office. I'm told your friends want to change locks and I just got an SMS and that is a third question.

This access security matter was discussed at the first Executive Committee meeting chaired by Claire. Basically we went to look at the premises. There are padlocks on all the doors and there's no proximity card system and so on. So we have concerns about the security about the place. And from information, the staff members each hold many keys. Altogether there are 60 keys to the premises floating around among the staff. So it was really a matter of concern for the new Executive Committee as to the security of the place. So we actually talked about making sure that the premises are well secured. And as you know, it is common nowadays for offices to install proximity card system so that we know who goes in and out of the premises and to secure the rest of the premises.

Okay. That's fine. Thank you.

(cont'd in 'traware5')

Q: Ok, that's fine, thank you. Josie, I want you to clarify 1 thing. Right at the beginning in your opening statement, you mentioned that

Aware was a single objective orgn. Were you referring to it being pro-lesbian & gay and that was its only agenda over the past few yrs?

Josie Lau: Well, I meant that, ok you shouldn't put specific into a general statement I make. When I said single it means it has become quite a focus for them.

Q: What has become a focus?

The homosexual agenda has become quite a focused...

Q: So when you said it was a single objective orgn, you implied or you meant that they were focusing only on homosexual issues...

A: No, that's what I said, you must not make specific of a general statement I make.

Q: I don't quite understand that. If you can explain. I hv a 2nd qn if you attempt that 1st. I think my colleague she was trying to ask...and all of you, many of you hv said that becos of the sexuality prog and as being mothers you want to come in Aware do something about it. Why do you not set your own group? Why do you hv to come into Aware & fix what you perceive to be a wrong becos I'm sure there are many mothers in Spore & I'm one of them who believe that in an inclusive society it's okay to hv sexuality progs that keep, let children hv an open mind, particularly becos MOE also runs many other sexuality progs as well as children's society.

A: I think there's definitely diversity of views on homosexuality but there's one unity of views, that is pls be honest, do not fudge the message, do not operate under deception. No smokescreen. If this is the key agenda, come out & say it but don't fudge it under the constitution which is to push for the cause of all women in Spore, all women. And if you want you can take a look at the constitution. It is for all women. And I think I wud like Maureen to talk a little bit more about Cedaw.

Q: Sorry, my other qn about why do you not set up your own...

A: I think I've already answered that.

Can I explain pls? You see Aware has always been involved in doing the shadow report for Cedaw which is submtted to the United Nations cttee. There's a report which is submitted by the Spore govt. And that Cedaw report is being chaired on the nat. level by Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon. There's a shadow report that's submitted by advocacy groups. So in Spore that shadow report is actually an area where Aware is very active in. And Aware works closely with the SCWO. Actually they come under the umbrella of SCWO. And what happened is in fact in the preparation, during the preparation of the shadow report, there were certain clear differences that surfaced btwn the SCWO & Aware. And there was even talk of submitting 2 shadow reports - 1 by the SCWO & 1 by Aware. And that is something which we've been trying to gain access to. We've asked as the new exco to hv a look at the shadow report that has been prepared by Aware. And in the president's report tabled at the AGM on 28 March, Constance Singam in her report said that the shadow report shud be completed by March 2008, which is 1 yr ago. So when we asked to see the report, we were told oh there's a typo error in the president's report. It shud be 2009. And now we're into April. And when we asked for the report, we were referred to Braema. And Braema says it's still not ready. So we said, fine, if it's not ready, can you give us the working drafts. And instead of replying to us, she went to the press & said that we wanted to remove her & so on. Up till today we've not yet appointed the coordinator for the Cedaw cttee. Under the constitution, the sub-cttee actually were under the orginal, under the old exco by effluxion of time ceased to exist, right? So that means basically new coordinators hv to be appointed or even reappointed by the new exco, okay. The normal process is the sub-cttee members will nominate their members but the approval still rests with the exco.

Q: So am I correct to assume you all took Aware to work more on Cedaw & Cedaw talks about constitutional guarantees for no discrimination against women, Cedaw talks about equality of Muslim women, Cedaw talks about more...you're going to fight for the syariah laws to be changed...

A; Yes, we're there for all women.

Q: So I take it that you chose Aware becos yes you're right Aware was in charge of the Cedaw report. So you want to take up some of the causes that are enshrined in Cedaw, is that correct?

A: Yes, that's correct.

Q: And that's why you didn't form your separate orgn.

A; We wud hv been happy to leave Aware to do the work which it was supposed to do. Our concern is that Aware appears to be being hijacked to another direction which is not the direction we believe is the original objective, the original noble objective of Aware, as stated in the constituion.

Q: Is it by coincidence that you belong to the same church...

A: Before I joined I didn't even know Maureen. Before I joined I didn't even know Lois.

Q: But you joined in 2007, right?

A: Ya I joined in 2007. So I didn't know her. I only know her after I got elected.

Q: Basically we just want to clarify the church connection becos there's been a lot of talk...

A: There is no church connection. The church is not at all involved in secular affairs.

Q: I'm not saying the church itself but the fact that you belong to the same church, did you know each other in church, did you come together & meet to say that on the day of the AGM you're going to bus in a lot of ppl from your church or wherever to support you & get you...

A: No, the answer is no. We all attend church of our saviour. We joined the church at various different times. Before I joined the church I was a Buddhist. And then I joined new creation. And from new creation I went to... I don't know any of these ppl until I got on to the cttee.

Q: A few weeks ago?

A; Yes. What happened was, yes we all attend the church. And really I only know Su Mien becos I was invited by one of the ppl who attended her Tanglin fellowship to attend a talk that was given by Su Mien. And that was when I first met her. But I dont move in her circles. I'm a working mother. I don't move in her circles. And I don't call Su Mien up. I don't even know her phone, her mobile phone or her home no. until we got onto this cttee & really we, becos of all the problems we're having, the death threats & so on, we went to our mentor to ask if she cud help us in what we're trying to achieve. And that was only after we were appointed.

Q: You say that you want to go towards the changing of syariah law...

A: Not syariah law.

Q: We are there...

Q; Okay, another qn, sorry. Did Miss Thio personally becos you said that you don't hv her contact no. So did she personally contact you guys?

A: No, as I mentioned I went for a talk which she was giving at her place. She has a regular Tanglin fellowship meeting which I don't attend becos I hv my own cell group. The church has 4,000 members. We attend different svcs. And we basically hv our own cell group. My cell group does not include any of these ppl. And so that's how we operate in the church environment. I got to know who she is when I attended the... Okay, just a correction on syariah law. We're Christians. I'm sorry, I don't know very much about syariah law. So to correct any misunderstanding, what I'm trying to say is that we're there for all women, whether the woman is a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Christian, a free-thinker, we're there for all regardless of race, language or religion. Thank you.

Q: Is it possible that the conspiracy that you're trying to unearth...

A: We really hv to go to the Aware centre, big fight, the police are there, the Old Guard are there becos they resisted our attempt to change secuity, the lock. So this is our, my qn is why the unusually strong reaction. It's something that, it's a qn that begs to be asked & to be investigated further. And maybe the media might want to look at it from a different angle. The reason why we're here is that we're not dodging the press. We know that the media has been baying for blood, coming up with stories day after day and then even on one particular day someone counted that ST ran 10 pages on Aware. And Aware has never recd such high, much attention. So the reason we're here is to answer your queries and about us being Christians, what we want to do &, okay, in the ST has also mentioned Dr Thio's name. So we decided to just meet the press & let you, we try our best to answer your qns. So I think that is enough & maybe for ppl who want other qns we can always arrange another time.

Q: One, will any of you consider stepping down after all these death threats? Two, is the EOGM still going ahead on the 2nd? Three, how many members do you hv...

A: Ok, No. 1, whether any of us are going to step down, the answer is no. We hv been elected. We've been proposed, seconded & elected in a legitimate manner. And with what's happening in fact it even gives us more reason to stay on becos we really want to know what's happening and why is a contract staff like the centre manager preventing the executive cttee from doing its job by making sure that the premises are secure, and why are the Old Guard coming in to interfere? We've been elected through a process that is proper. We came in properly.

Ok, your 2nd qn is the EOGM is still going ahead on the 2nd. Yes, the EOGM will be going ahead on the 2nd of May as scheduled. The problem we hv is now that as of yesterday the membership has gone up to 880 and applications for membership are still coming in, and the place that we've booked for the event may not be able to accommodate these nos. So we're actually now struggling, we're trying to look for maybe another alternative venue where we can accommodate all members. As Josie has mentioned we want to hv an open dialogue with the members and that is the reason we're calling the EGM. One, to deal with the proposed constitution which we cud not deal with at the 28th AGM becos we ran out of time. We had 20 members giving election speeches & so on. It took us three and a half hours.

I think...we just want to say that we hope that they've answered your qns. And I in turn also hv a qn to ask the media. I'd like to ask what is ST's role in this story becos ppl like, you've quoted Margaret Thomas, Dana Lam, Braema, they were all ex-ST journalists. So what is ST's role? Since we were asked what is our role, what is this Christian link becos we're Christian and most of us come from Chuch of Saviour, and the media asked what is the role of the Church of Saviour, is it a ground for recruitment? Then I'd like to ask ST: are you playing a role in this Aware saga as well?Thank you very much, ladies & gentlemen.

Give new team a chance to succeed

2009-04-24T08:55:00.000+08:00

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

http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Story/STIStory_367803.html

Will programmes continue to be neutral?

2009-04-24T08:53:00.000+08:00

Straits Times Forum letter by Ms Alexandra Serrenti, April 24, 2009 Friday

I COMMEND The Straits Times for highlighting the recent developments in Aware. In the light of the religious affiliations of most members of the new executive committee (exco), I seek answers on the future impartiality and professionalism of Aware's programmes.

Aware's counselling services are often the last resort for many women at risk who need special protection and care.

Some of my concerns are these:

Will victims of family abuse be given advice and support to leave their families and spouses if it is determined that they are at risk, given the 'pro-family' stance of the new exco?

Will rape victims be given access to all options during counselling sessions, including advice on abortion, given the 'anti-abortion' stance of the religious organisations to which many of the new exco members belong?

Will sex education programmes include information about the use of contraceptives in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy, given the 'pro-abstinence' positions of most members of the new exco?

Will homosexual women seeking advice and help be supported in their struggle to come to terms with their identity in a supportive environment?

I shall be much reassured if the new exco members:

State publicly their exact positions on these points pertaining to Aware's social service programmes; and

Give an assurance of non-interference in the professionalism and impartiality of Aware's counsellors to provide advice that focuses exclusively on the welfare of clients who seek them out.

I seek such answers because the tussle is not an issue of religious versus secular life, or of endorsement or condemnation of homosexuality, or of being anti- or pro-abortion.

It is about transparency and honesty in providing social services and leadership so women can make informed choices about the type of organisation they wish to support and have support them.

Alexandra Serrenti (Ms)

http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Story/STIStory_367802.html

Aware chief: Sub-com head was not sacked

2009-04-24T08:51:00.001+08:00

Straits Times Forum letter by Ms Josie Lau, April 24, 2009 Friday

I REFER to last Saturday's report, 'Sacked by a terse e-mail'. Ms Braema Mathi was not sacked as chairman of Aware's Cedaw sub-committee by e-mail or by any other means. Her appointment simply expired.

Under Aware's Constitution, the appointment and authority of each sub-committee chairman derive from the executive committee (exco). Thus, when the term of office of each exco expires, the appointment of each sub-committee chairman also lapses at the same time.

At the end of her term, the chairman of each sub-committee is obliged to account for the work accomplished during the last 12 months through the annual report presented at each annual general meeting (AGM).

The new exco considers the reports from each sub-committee and has the option to re-appoint the chairman for another term of 12 months.

At this year's AGM on March 28, then president Constance Singam informed the AGM that Ms Mathi would present her work in the form of a completed draft shadow report at the end of March.

As of Wednesday, no report has been given to us and neither have we seen a working draft.

We hope that this letter will present the facts as to what actually happened.

Josie Lau
President of Aware

http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Story/STIStory_367804.html

Govt should ensure Aware stays secular

2009-04-24T08:45:00.003+08:00

Straits Times Forum letter by Mr Ravi Govindan, April 24, 2009 Friday

I REFER to the change in leadership of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware). The technicalities of the society's leadership tussle are not an issue for most of us as it is an internal affair.

Of public concern is the implication of the leadership takeover, part of which was reflected by Ms Hafizah Osman in her letter on Monday, 'Passive supporters galvanised into action'.

Ms Hafizah was concerned that Aware was moving towards being an organisation of exclusion. I share her concern. To the neutral public, Aware serves a vital national purpose because it has pursued its aim of gender equality, regardless of race, religion or sexual preference, in a transparent, all-embracing way.

Because of its generosity of spirit and service to all, Aware has been a force for national good. My concern is whether the new leadership will continue this spirit of inclusiveness. Already, sexual minorities among the women have been forewarned that the new Aware agenda will exclude their voice.

While I am a conservative Asian family man, and firmly believe in the heterosexual definition of a married couple as the nucleus of a Singaporean family, I am, like Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, realistic enough to appreciate the importance of accommodating non-heterosexual citizens in an all-inclusive Singapore.

The old Aware's spirit of non-judgmental activism and generosity reflects the charity and kindliness of the civil society we are trying to build.

Part of the secular strength of Aware previously was that it comprised leaders from multi-religious backgrounds - Muslims, Catholics, Hindus and Buddhists. The new leaders are largely mono-religious and appear to hold singularly exclusive views about religion, social and family behaviour and sexual mores.

What are the checks and balances, for instance, to ensure that women who are at a low and vulnerable point in their lives, and who turn to Aware for help, are not turned towards religious rather than practical answers?

I hope the Government, particularly the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, will closely watch developments to ensure transparency and provide the necessary safeguards.

Ms Hafizah also wrote: 'Twenty-four years of serious work may now be threatened by a group of women whose religious affiliation may lead to an exclusionary Aware.'

I would add that government or independent guarantees must be in place to ensure that the wronged, the troubled and the abused whom the new Aware assists, should not have to be targets of proselytisation in order to receive the secular aid they need.

Ravi Govindan

http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Story/STIStory_367806.html

Let's not forget Aware's achievements

2009-04-24T08:16:00.003+08:00

Straits Times Forum Online letter by Ms Martha Lee, April 24, 2009 Friday 08:16 AM

I AM writing in support of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware). Before joining Aware in 2002, I was asked if I really wanted to be associated with a group of pot-banging, men-hating feminists who were bitter with their lot and had nothing better to do.

Since a feminist is one who believes women should have political, social, sexual, intellectual and economic rights equal to those of men, I was joining in and taking action.

People have asked why I am fighting for women's rights when we already have so much. I had to explain the basics of gender equality, which is equality of genders or sexes. Aware advocated not for women, but both men and women. Also, until the day women really believe and embrace the power that is already theirs in working beside men, the work of Aware needs to continue.

I have volunteered with Aware in different capacities in the past eight years, including publicity, writing and fund-raising. I found the women there far from what is often perceived. They were highly intelligent, extremely articulate and respected successful individuals comfortable in their skin. Coming from diverse backgrounds - in terms of age, race and religion - we have worked side by side on serious issues and projects.

Aware has always had a fine reputation, successfully nominating not one but three candidates to be Nominated MPs. Consider this: Which organisation meets the police to discuss how rape victims can be better treated? Which non-profit group has heard the heartaches of women in Singapore for the past 15 years through its helpline? Which other group in Singapore has the guts and stamina to proactively advocate for women's rights?

Lately, Aware has been in the news for the wrong reasons. How was this hostile takeover even possible? Were the members asleep? No. We have simply been too busy doing the work. We did not anticipate this would happen.

But why wash dirty linen in public? Sure, we are embarrassed but do we have a choice? The new executive committee has not acted in the best interests of members and women at large with their hostile takeover, not to mention disbanding various sub-committees without reason.

I have been proud to be associated with Aware and these courageous women. The takeover has not changed this. We are now doing what we can to save Aware.

Women today can apply to be doctors, work in the civil service and enjoy the same medical benefits as men, or choose to stay home to cook, clean and wash for their family. We have choices our mothers and grandmothers did not have. Aware has made a difference to the quality of our lives.

Martha Lee (Ms)

http://www.straitstimes.com/ST+Forum/Online+Story/STIStory_367614.html

New exco wants to bring AWARE back to its "original cause"

2009-04-24T01:50:00.003+08:00

By Cheryl Lim, Channel NewsAsia Posted: 24 April 2009 0150 hrs

SINGAPORE : Bringing AWARE back to its "original cause" - that is what the new executive committee (exco) of advocacy group, the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE), is planning to do.

In an emotionally-charged news conference on Thursday, the New Guard said AWARE has lost its focus.

They accused the Old Guard of steering AWARE into becoming a single purpose organisation.

Drama erupted even before the news conference started with current Honorary Treasurer Chew I-Jin accusing the New Guard of intentionally excluding her from their news conference. "I'm utterly disappointed and disgusted because I'm meant to do a presentation alongside you, Lois (Ng, Executive Committee member)," said Chew.

During the one-and-a-half hour event, the group introduced well-known corporate lawyer Dr Thio Su Mien, as their so-called "feminist mentor".

Dr Thio is the Senior Executive Director of TSMP Law Corporation and mother of Nominated MP, Dr Thio Li Ann.

The new exco said AWARE had become a single purpose organisation overly concerned with promoting lesbianism.

They repeatedly raised examples, like how the Old Guard had backed a lesbian film screening in 2007 and organised a lesbian-friendly Mother's Day event in 2006. And they wanted to bring the association back to what they say is its original noble cause.

When contacted for comment, former AWARE president Margaret Thomas said those comments were ridiculous and not deserving of any comment.

Dr Thio Su Mien also revealed that she had emailed several groups with her concerns about the direction the association was taking, which prompted reporters to ask if the takeover was orchestrated.

"It depends on what you mean by organising. It is kind of flattering in a way. I'm frustrated, I talk to people, I collect info, I send to different people. You want to join, (then) join. I will help you. We discover that networking helps," said Dr Thio, adviser to the new AWARE exco.

The new exco said none of them intend to step down, but revealed that taking up office has come with risks.

Several members received death threats which have been reported to the police.

"Each day, I fear for the physical safety of my children, my family. There's even a blog site detailing my children's names and which schools they go to," said Josie Lau, AWARE's president.

The team will go ahead with the extraordinary general meeting planned for May 2 and is looking for a new venue to accommodate its burgeoning membership. It is now 880 and still growing.

- CNA /ls

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/424496/1/.html

Showdown at AWARE office over lock change by new exco

2009-04-23T23:04:00.000+08:00

By Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia Posted: 23 April 2009 2304 hrs

SINGAPORE: It was a tense atmosphere at the AWARE office on Thursday evening as members of the old guard tried to prevent the new executive committee from changing the locks at the office.

The centre's manager, Schutz Lee, said she was not informed of the plans to change locks.

Ms Lee, who has been working there since February, was also fired without reason by the new executive committee at 8pm on Thursday.

Members of the old guard turned up hurriedly at the scene, anxious over the documents kept there.

Dana Lam, former AWARE president, said: "I walked in and there were three burly men sitting at the counter. It's not something we encounter at AWARE because it's a women's centre and we are giving counselling sessions to women who have been abused.

"The men have apparently been instructed by the president to change the lock in the centre. There is a vote of no-confidence going on here. By right, they have no right to make any changes. I am worried for my materials – 25 years of research material, including confidential material."

- CNA/so

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/424471/1/.html

Serve Aware, not undermine it

2009-04-21T07:01:00.000+08:00

Straits Times - April 21, 2009

DISTRUST between Aware's long-time members and the newly arrived leadership could undermine the standing of a respected entity in the growing civic movement. Women of either camp who state grandly that they are there to advance the cause of family, gender equity and pertinent social issues must ask themselves whether an inability to play to one another's strengths is not damaging the vehicle for their mission. All week, they have been sniping at each other.

Alarm had first spread among older members over the manner in which the group of unknowns had captured Aware's executive machinery. Nothing has transpired since the time of the elections on March 28 to dispel impressions that this had been a well planned and executed operation. What has not been explained is the new team's plans for Aware and specific goals in social policy. New activists in public-interest advocacy would be courting the media to publicise their mission to gather public support. This has not been the case. It is unhelpful to the new leadership to have its reticence give rise to conjecture and accusations.

Their objectives in taking over the organisation have been questioned by the old guard, who plainly were caught unawares by the leadership manoeuvre. The compliment was quickly returned by the new president, Ms Josie Lau, who asked them to disclose their 'motives and objectives fully and honestly'. This bit of cheekiness will not endear her to the established members. The new team will find invaluable their institutional knowledge of issues and their counsel in getting things done.

Ms Lau passed up another opportunity in a television interview on Sunday to explain her action agenda, saying the time was not yet right. The public could regard as odd such a dereliction, as the team would have sought office with defined goals in mind. The longer the newcomers keep silent, the worse will be the inferences drawn, no matter how unfair. As an example, questions are asked about the new office bearers' known Christian affiliation. By itself, this is of no concern. But any hint that a religious colouring will be attached to future Aware programmes can be injurious. Aware has been effective as it has steered well clear of religious and race considerations in campaigning for social progress.

Civil society needs people with ideas and passion, as a prod for official accountability and to assist in communitarian growth. It is actually growing well. The biodata show that Aware's new executive team comprises women of accomplishment. It would be a setback to citizen activism if as iconic a civic player as this one were to be laid low by distrust and internal warfare.

http://www.straitstimes.com/Review/Editorial/STIStory_366180.html

AWARE old guard says debate is healthy

2009-04-20T22:01:00.001+08:00

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

AWARE president says will not step down despite pressure

2009-04-20T09:54:00.002+08:00

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

More than a numbers game

2009-04-20T08:01:00.000+08:00

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/articles/314803.asp

The new Exco speaks ...

2009-04-20T08:00:00.000+08:00

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/articles/314807.asp

Aware chief wants to heal rift with upset members

2009-04-20T07:05:00.000+08:00

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.com/print/Prime%2BNews/Story/STIStory_365893.html

Dangerous turns in domestic dispute

2009-04-20T07:00:00.001+08:00

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.com/Prime%2BNews/Story/STIStory_365884.html

'What did she do to deserve position?'

2009-04-19T12:59:00.000+08:00

The Electric New Paper - April 19, 2009

By Benson Ang

Taken by surprise, Aware veterans question merits of new members standing for recent election

This is what happened during the Aware AGM, as told to The New Paper by four members who attended the meeting

IT ALL began when a hand was raised, innocently enough, by a new member.

Ms Jenica Chua wanted to nominate Ms Charlotte Wong for vice-president.

And so began the takeover.

That 28 Mar annual general meeting (AGM) was to spark a bitter feud between new office-bearers and the old guard of the Association of Women For Action Research (Aware), one that has split the 24-year-old association.

What exactly happened that day? Four different sources present at the meeting have revealed the twists and turns that led to what amounted to the carpet being pulled from under the Aware stalwarts' feet.

Ms Wong's nomination raised eyebrows among veterans. A newcomer for vice-president? It was unheard of.

When Ms Wong made her pitch and listed her credentials, she hardly mentioned a word about feminism.

Said a source yesterday: 'Many of us wondered what has this woman done for Aware to deserve to be second-in-charge?'

How do her accomplishments compare to an incumbent, Ms Chew I-Jin, who has been volunteering for more than a decade. How does she compare to someone who has pounded the streets handing out flyers, and manned the phone for hours counselling desperate women?

How much did Ms Wong even know about Aware? Did she stand a chance?

She did.

In hindsight, the first indication that this election would be a watershed was the large turnout.

By 2pm, the Aware Centre was teaming with women. In previous years, only about 40 people would show up. But this year, there were over 100 - 80 of whom were fresh faces.

Almost all of them were middle-aged Chinese women. They appeared unfamiliar with the Aware Centre.

Both the air-conditioned conference room and the lobby had to be used to accommodate the large turnout.

Shock for veterans

Ms Constance Singam, 72, the outgoing president and chair of the AGM, nominated Mrs Claire Nazar for presidency. She spoke glowingly about Mrs Nazar's work on the sexual harassment committee.

Mrs Nazar was elected unopposed.

Next was the vice-president's seat. Ms Singam nominated Ms Chew, who gave a speech about her involvement with feminism.

After 15 years in Aware, this was her time to shine.

Then Ms Wong was nominated.

When both of them left the room, and it was time to vote, Ms Wong won by a huge margin.

The veterans were shocked.

They did not know Ms Wong. Neither did they know the women who voted for her. That was how Aware's No 2 spot went to an unknown.

This process - whereby a new member would nominate another new member, who was then voted in by new members - repeated itself when Ms Jenica Chua was elected honorary secretary.

By this time, older members were becoming alarmed. One said she felt uncomfortable with the new members running for positions because they did not understand Aware enough, and had not done enough for Aware.

But a new member replied that Ms Singam was looking for new faces, and they were new faces.

The pattern continued. All but one of the key positions were won by large margins - through new voters. Only another key position - assistant honorary treasurer - went to Ms Chew, and it was a walkover.

When it came to voting in committee members, each of the 13 nominees gave a speech, and the ones with the top six votes were to get in.

During the meeting, some veteran members started searching the Internet for background on the more vocal new members. They discovered that many of them had written strongly-worded letters to the press against gay lifestyles.

This, combined with the increasingly obvious voting pattern, prompted the veteran members to start asking a lot more questions.

A veteran member pointedly asked a new member what she felt about homosexuality. Her reply: She didn't accept it.

The veteran member rebutted: 'But in Aware, we do not discriminate.'

The new member said she just did not agree with gay lifestyles. Eventually, she got voted in.

One nominee, a veteran member, spoke passionately about the need to educate teenagers about safe sex and the dangers of sexually-transmitted diseases.

She got one of the lowest number of votes.

Throughout the meeting, several veterans said they were happy that so many people were interested in Aware, but advised these members to familiarise themselves with Aware before running for key positions.

Their advice went unheeded.

When the meeting ended at 5.30pm, only three of the 12 were veterans.

And that was how 28 Mar became the day the old guard of Aware was caught unawares.

________________________________________

Questions, questions and more contention

Hidden agenda?

Ms Josie Lau, Aware president, in a letter to the press:

'Why have some people cast aspersions on our good intentions? Why are they so angry with us?

We've only just begun.

'We seek to improve the quality of life in Singapore. We are pro-women, pro-family and pro-Singapore.

'What is so objectionable about that? Does the old guard harbour an alternative agenda? If so, they should disclose their motives and objectives fully and honestly.'

Aware veteran members Ms Margaret Thomas, Ms Corrina Lim, Ms Braema Mathi, Ms Dana Lam, and Ms Tan Joo Hymn, representing the signatories of the requisition:

'Our initial questions remain - what do you want to do in Aware that is fundamentally different from what was already being done?

'If you think the work Aware has done all these years is so good and you want to 'honour' and 'build' on it, why the need to muscle your way into the exco? Such a tactic suggests there may be a hidden agenda that may be contrary to the stance and ethos of Aware.'

Secular or...

Ms Lau:

'Aware is a secular organisation. Its members come from different races, walks of life and hold different belief systems. Our commitment to advancing the cause of women unites us. As a democratic society, we cherish viewpoint diversity.'

Aware's veteran members

'We were further alarmed by media reports that the new Aware president led the marketing team in DBS' credit card campaign last year which supported the evangelical Christian organisation Focus on the Family.

'Aware is a secular organisation that embraces diversity of race, age, religion, culture and sexuality. It must remain so.'

________________________________________

WHO'S WHO IN NEW AWARE LEADERSHIP

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER

Catherine Tan Ling Ghim: Financial planner. Member of Million Dollar Round Table.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER

Peggy Leong Pek Kay: Lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic's School of Humanities. Has 16years of teaching experience.

HONORARY SECRETARY

Jenica Chua Chor Ping: In her 30s. Management consultant with top business technology company.

HONORARY TREASURER

Maureen Ong Lee Keang: Last appointment was executive vice-president at SembCorp Group.

VICE-PRESIDENT

Charlotte Wong Hock Soon: Consultant with ExxonMobil, where she worked for 21 years. Former sociology and anthropology lecturer at National University of Singapore.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER

Lois Ng: 44 Social entrepreneur who runs business that hires disabled people to produce gifts for tourists and corporate markets. Former journalist, with The New Paper 1990-1995.

ASSISTANT HONORARY TREASURER

Chew I-Jin: Aware member since May 1995. Previously served on Exco in 1995-1996, and as honorary treasurer in 2008-2009.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER

Irene Yee Khor Quin: Over 10 years of professional experience in financial services.

ASSISTANT HONORARY SECRETARY

Sally Ang Koon Hian: Runs own law firm, Sally Ang Ebenezer and Company. Has more than 30years of legal experience.

PRESIDENT

Josie Lau Meng-Lee: 48, vice-president and head of marketing, cards and unsecured Loans, DBS. Mother of two daughters, aged 17 and 15. Married to Dr Alan Chin Yew Liang, who owns several clinics under the Lifeline Medical Group. 'Ms Lau is concerned about work-life balance and the role of mothers as a stabilising factor in a family,' an Aware statement said.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER

Caris Lim Chai Leng: Freelance social worker, counsellor and trainer. Member of Aware since 2000. Exco member in 2008-2009.

http://tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,199340,00.html

Constance Singam quits as Aware adviser

2009-04-19T06:00:00.000+08:00

Sunday Times - April 19, 2009

Three-time president describes her unhappiness with the new team in a letter to long-time members. Wong Kim Hoh reports.

One voice had been silent in the controversy currently swirling around Singapore's most well-known women's group - that of stalwart and three-time president Constance Singam.

Yesterday afternoon, however, she broke her silence in a letter - marked confidential - to long-time members of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware).

She told them she had quit as adviser to the new executive committee steering the group. As immediate past president, Mrs Singam - under Aware's Constitution - automatically earned an advisory role to the new committee.

The three-page letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Sunday Times, described her unhappiness with the new team, which took office after a leadership grab last month.

Mrs Singam, 72, wrote that although the team had publicly said that they would honour Aware's founders and build on the good work of past members, their private behaviour suggested otherwise.

'In private meetings, the exco showed a complete lack of respect for me, ignoring my advice and keeping me out of an exco meeting when I had the right to be there, as stated in the Constitution,' wrote Mrs Singam who has served three terms as Aware president over the last 20 years.

She told members that she was especially unhappy with the new exco's proposal to replace all the heads of Aware's sub-committees with exco members.

There are about half a dozen sub-groups in Aware working on various women's issues such as ageing, singles, work life, and Cedaw (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women).

Former Nominated MP Braema Mathi was axed by e-mail last week as chair of Cedaw, a position she had held since 2004.

Mrs Singam wrote in her letter: 'I protested and said it was Aware's longstanding practice to give more women, especially young women, the opportunity to acquire leadership skills and empowering them through experiences in sub-committee work.'

The exco ignored her advice, she said.

When contacted, Mrs Singam confirmed that she has quit as Aware adviser and that she penned the letter.

She told The Sunday Times she was not abandoning ship.

'I am still an Aware member. Being outside the exco gives me more freedom and right to speak up, assert and push for the work that Aware has done all these years.'

The events of the last few weeks, she admitted, have been traumatising.

On March 28, the group was taken over by unknown faces who joined Aware only in recent months.

The takeover was like a bolt out of the blue.

'I spent the first two days crying. It makes you suddenly realise the danger of not being vigilant.'

However, she added: 'But that's not the nature of the society. It's always been open and welcoming and I will continue to fight for it to be open and egalitarian.

'I'm not going to be defensive. It has happened, it's a hard lesson, but Aware will continue.'

Mrs Singam is aware that the old guard has been described as sore losers by some who pointed out that the new team was legitimately voted in.

'Why are we sore losers? We are just fighting and defending our values.

'They walked in, took over, and they refused to tell us what they were going to do with Aware. They say they would honour the work of past Aware members, and the first thing that they do is to fire Braema.

'There are just too many questions they are not answering.'

She said their silence has stoked and fuelled too much unhealthy debate, especially online, with speculation about the new team's religious affiliations and anti-homosexual stance.

'I am not at all happy where this is going. This is not a gay versus Christian debate,' she said.

'It is getting away from what Aware stands for. We have spoken up and initiated discussion on a lot of much broader issues - foreign worker abuse, domestic abuse, financial intelligence, education, body image, sexual harassment.

'We address issues that have large and wide implications which affect society.'

She is concerned about the 'possible ideological opposition of many members of the new team'.

She wrote in her letter: 'Our values are based on the fundamental rights and responsibilities of women as women. These include being treated as informed individuals capable of choice, being deserving of opportunities equal to those of men in education, marriage and employment; and being able to control their own bodies, particularly with regard to sexual and reproductive health.'

Meanwhile, news of her resignation upset many longstanding members.

Lawyer Halijah Mohamad, who is in her late 40s, said she was flabbergasted by the apparent high-handedness of the new team: 'Bearing in mind that they are very new members, how could they disregard the advice of someone who has been such a long-time member, and who has an institutional knowledge of Aware?

'By shutting her out, they are just showing that they have absolutely no interest in continuity.'

Madam Halijah was Aware's vice-president in 1999/2000.

'She should not have been put in that position to feel compelled to resign. We were aghast.'

Counsellor Ravqind Kaur, 24, a volunteer since 2006, agreed.

'By keeping her out of decisions, they are showing her no respect. Any little confidence we might have in them has just been washed away.'

Postgraduate student Martha Lee, 32, said: 'Constance has been with Aware for more than 20 years, and she would never resign without a good reason.

'She has tried to engage them, reason with them, but they are not listening. They ask why we are being hostile and they said they want to reconcile but I don't think reconciliation is on their agenda.'

Ms Lee has been a volunteer on several sub-committees since 2001.

Attempts by The Sunday Times to contact the new exco for comments yesterday were unsuccessful.

Mrs Singam said the jolt might have its upside: It has brought Aware members closer together.

It has even rallied new members such as Internet executive Hafizah Osman, 39, who joined Aware yesterday to show her support for what Mrs Singam and the old guard have achieved.

'I was shocked when I heard she was quitting. I think she is obviously making a statement that she does not want the fundamentals of Aware to be compromised,' she said.

'The old guard has done wonderful work and it is so shameful that events of the last week have negated everything to just one issue - sexuality and religion.

'It is much more. I don't want Aware's broad agenda to be lost.'

kimhoh@sph.com.sg

What are your views on the happenings at Aware? Send them to suntimes@sph.com.sg

http://www.straitstimes.com/print/News/Home/Story/STIStory_365579.html

AWARE president gives first media interview since appointment

2009-04-18T21:40:00.001+08:00

By Cheryl Lim, Channel NewsAsia Posted: 18 April 2009 2140 hrs

SINGAPORE: President for women's advocacy group, AWARE, said the organisation has lost its focus and has become too diversified.

In an exclusive interview with Channel NewsAsia's Talking Point on Saturday, the recently appointed president, Josie Lau, spoke on why she chose to run for her post.

"I was the last woman standing. And I felt that I had to pick up the baton, to run and to continue to lead this organisation that has been marred in controversies in the last one, two weeks," she said.

Without mincing her words, she said the group has lost its focus.

"What the new committee wants to do is that, like any good corporation, if you've diversified too much, consolidate. And as with any new committee, we know that resources are always limited, let's take a look and review what's done in the past that's good, let's keep (that), and what new ideas we have to bring on," said Ms Lau.

She stressed that while members may focus on different things, at the end of the day, they are all fighting a common cause.

Over the past three weeks, the saga between the new and the old guard has escalated into a war of words, with each side accusing the other of harbouring hidden agendas.

So the question everyone is asking is whether the two sides are able to reconcile their differences and move forward.

Ms Lau said that is one of the first tasks she is planning to work on. She wants to create an environment where all members can disagree in an agreeable manner.

But this could be easier said than done.

Dana Lam, former AWARE president, said: "What are we supposed to reconcile if we don't know what you're about? AWARE is not about whether we are for or against Christianity; AWARE is not about whether we are for or against homosexuality."

Veteran members are also concerned that the current saga may have damaged the group's reputation.

Old and new members have petitioned for an extraordinary general meeting to call for a vote of no-confidence in the new exco. This will be held on May 2.

Channel NewsAsia viewers can catch the full interview with Josie Lau on Talking Point this Sunday at 10:10pm.

- CNA/so

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/423295/1/.html

New Aware head's job at DBS at risk

2009-04-18T12:49:00.000+08:00

The Eletric New Paper - April 18, 2009

After just one day, she faces flak from bank and Aware veteran members

By Benson Ang

ONE day into the presidency of a women's group and DBS bank officer Josie Lau Meng-Lee, 48, is feeling the heat of the seat.

FEELING THE HEAT: Ms Lau disregarded the bank's advice to not join Aware's executive committee.

Ms Lau, who was elected president of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) late on Wednesday night, faces heat from her employers and questions from her Aware predecessors and members.

Ms Lau is DBS' vice-president and head of marketing, cards and unsecured loans.

Shortly after her Aware election, DBS issued a statement saying that although the bank supports her involvement as an Aware council member, it believes that the role of president would demand too much of her time and energy.

Yesterday, when it became clear that Ms Lau was president, DBS issued another statement - this time for her disregard of the bank's staff code of conduct twice.

The bank said it was reviewing the matter.

The first time was when she became an Aware committee member without informing the bank; the second when she ran for Aware president.

The heat from the other side comes from Aware members who told The New Paper that they were unhappy over comments made by the new committee on Wednesday night.

Ms Margaret Thomas, 57, a founding member of Aware, felt that the press statement did not address the key concerns of the 160 members who signed a requisition to the new committee.

It called for an immediate extraordinary general meeting to clear the air over the way the new members were elected on 28Mar.

It also voiced members' concerns that Ms Claire Nazar, who was initially elected president, resigned barely two weeks later.

Ms Thomas, a media consultant and a former Aware vice-president, listed the concerns: 'Who are they? What do they want?

'If they remember and honour the work of past Aware members, why did they see the need to come in those numbers, to come and take over the executive committee?

'What are they going to do that is so different from what is being done now, that they felt they had to gain control?'

She suggested that the new committee could have worked with, and alongside, the old guard.

'If you join Aware, we take it that you support our principles, our views, feel we're doing a good job and you want to participate.'

'The press release, if anything, just raises more questions.'

Even former Aware president Constance Singam, 72, who was to have sat in at the meeting of new committee as its adviser, was initially kept out.

She told The New Paper that when the meeting began, she was not allowed into the room. She just sat outside.

She said: 'They (the new committee) said they had to deal with some sensitive issues and didn't need my presence there.'

Ms Singam was there to ensure continuity between the old committee and new one.

Ms Lau is married to Dr Alan Chin Yew Liang, a medical doctor, and has two daughters, aged 17 and 15.

According to Ms Lau's CV, she is most concerned about work-life balance and the role of mothers as a stabilising factor in the family.

At press time, she could not be contacted for comment.

http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/story/0,4136,199230,00.html

When the employer drops by

2009-04-18T08:01:00.000+08:00

Today Online -Weekend • April 18, 2009

Dharmendra Yadav

By ignoring DBS' advice, is Lau saying Aware presidency is more important?

When the employer drops by

VERY rarely does a private sector employer comment publicly about what its employee does in his or her personal time. It is even rarer for a private sector employer to express disagreement about its employee's voluntary commitments.

DBS did both when it came out to express its view on the personal and voluntary work of its vice-president of credit cards, Josie Lau, who was appointed this week the new president of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware).

Employers generally restrain themselves not because it may come across as downright unprofessional but for other sound reasons. As indicated by DBS' statement on Wednesday, in which it said the bank requires all employees to obtain approval before running for or taking on an external appointment, most employers have internal policies about such matters.

An internal policy usually allows an employee to do most things with his or her personal time so long as these do not create a real or an apparent conflict of interest by interfering with officially assigned duties.

A 1993 study, `The employer as social arbiter: Considerations in limiting involvement in off-the-job behaviour', by the School of Labour and Industrial Relations at Michigan State University encouraged an employer "to act conservatively in invoking mandatory policies that affect employees' personal lives unless there is a clear individual employee performance problem or the personal behaviour imposes harm on employees or customers".

Such internal policies tend to encourage employees to consult their immediate supervisors when in doubt about their out-of-office activities. Legal advice can be sought from relevant counsel where necessary.

In the financial sector, there are governance requirements that require employees to disclose their activities or sources of income outside work on a regular basis.

Employees are often trusted to act in a manner not prejudicial to the interests and reputation of their employers. For example, some years ago, I was involved in a constitutional matter outside work. I knew that my then employer, a cooperative of the National Trades Union Congress, would not tolerate my participation in opposition party activities, as the NTUC unwaveringly backs the governing party.

But certain individuals alleged that I was helping an opposition party. Questions about such involvement naturally flowed from my bosses. It turned out I had in fact helped a politician from the ruling party.

To the credit of my former employer, I was never questioned about my personal activities again. I would like to think my actions had assured them that I had their interests and reputation at heart.

Similarly, cases such as Ms Lau's are usually privately dealt with by well-oiled internal checks and before they become a public relations nightmare. Thus, when Sylvia Lim of Temasek Polytechnic or Brandon Siow of Singapore Airlines Cargo joined the Workers' Party before the last elections, no equivalent performance concerns were raised by their employers.

What then are the options available to Ms Lau, now that her employer has said its piece? She can prepare for a baptism of fire. Her employer will scrutinise her more closely to ensure her Aware presidency does not affect her performance at work.

By ignoring DBS' advice, she appears to have signalled that her presidency at Aware is more important than her work at DBS.

One of my personal advisers best summarised my position when I was subject to unusual scrutiny as such: "You should ask yourself if the values of your organisation complement your own values. If they don't, the honourable thing for you to do is to resign." Indeed, if Ms Lau is not prepared to rough it out or finds her personal values diverging from that of DBS, she should leave the bank.

The easy way, of course, is for her to conduct herself like nothing has happened. Arguably, some may submit this is a foolish thing to do.

Over time, however, this incident may pass. But it may be opportune for employers to review their guidelines for the personal activities of their employees. It may also be a good time to revisit one's personal closets, just in case the employer drops by.

WEEKENDVTRA

The writer, a trial lawyer in training, is writing in his personal capacity. He thanks his past, present and future employers for encouraging him to continue writing.

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/314510.asp

Why she quit

2009-04-18T08:00:00.000+08:00

Today Online, April 18, 2009

Ms Claire Nazar told Today, it became clear after the exco's first meeting that they "were not going to follow my direction". "The exco and I didn't see eye to eye. It was unfortunate. It was pointless for me to carry on as I didn't want to waste time in politicking."
.
For instance, she wanted the current sub-committee chairs to retain their posts; the others felt differently. And, when she wanted to release a statement saying she would focus on working mothers during her one-year term, the exco "wanted to deliberate another week".
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Ms Nazar said she wished Ms Josie Lau all the best and remains an Aware member.

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/314556.asp

Form your own group, why take over another?

2009-04-18T07:00:00.000+08:00

Straits Times forum letter by Mr Harvey Neo, 18 April 2009

I REFER to the dramatic events surrounding the shocking outcome of last month’s election of officials of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware).

The new executive committee might have won the election constitutionally, but it was hardly won with dignity and honour. Any group that is taken over completely by newcomers should cause worry and arouse critical questioning.

Moreover, the takeover was highly coordinated and ruthlessly orchestrated by members who joined barely three months ago, which gives rise to the suspicion that they are out to fundamentally and swiftly change Aware’s core beliefs.

Several members of the new committee hold strong opinions on homosexuality that are rooted in particular religious beliefs and equally strong beliefs about gender roles in the family.

There is nothing wrong with this. But a group with such a strong desire to overwhelm an organisation with like-minded people, whose views may sit uncomfortably with the fundamental visions of the organisation, would be better off starting their own.

I fear that while Aware’s new leaders have won control, they have lost legitimacy. Legitimacy is gained by trust and hard work, not by stealth. A procedural victory that capitalises on an organisation’s naivety is hollow and nothing to be proud of.

Harvey Neo

AWARE president questions intentions of veterans unhappy over election outcome

2009-04-17T17:47:00.000+08:00

By Cheryl Lim/Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 17 April 2009 1747 hrs

SINGAPORE: The new president of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE), Josie Lau, has questioned the intentions of veteran members who are unhappy that newcomers have swept most of the executive committee (Exco) seats in the organisation's recent annual election.

In a statement to the media, she challenged these members to disclose their motives and objectives fully and honestly.

On Tuesday, 160 members had written to the new Exco to request for an extraordinary general meeting, with the apparent purpose of replacing the Exco. The much-awaited extraordinary general meeting will be held on May 2.

Meanwhile, Ms Lau pointed out that no more than five of the signatories were present at last month's annual general meeting.

She also highlighted that just-resigned president Claire Nazar had nominated six out of the 11 new Exco members with the support of veteran members.

Ms Lau also said that following the first Exco meeting on April 7, Ms Nazar unilaterally resigned by email on April 8.

The Exco then called for a second Exco meeting on April 15, the earliest possible date, as the Constitution requires at least seven days' notice.

It was at this meeting that Ms Lau was named the new president unopposed.

Ms Lau said the current committee hopes to improve the life of women in Singapore and is pro-women, pro-family and pro-Singapore.

She added that AWARE is a secular organisation - with members from different races, walks of life and belief systems.

She said that as a democratic society, they welcome diverse viewpoints.

Ms Lau added that she has full confidence in her team and that they are ready for the challenges ahead.

Meanwhile, on Friday evening, some members of the new Exco spoke to Channel NewsAsia.

The new Exco said the organisation's old guard is recruiting members to call the extraordinary general meeting.

The new guard said 120 of the 160 signatories were recruited in the last month to swell support for the requisition.

A vote of no confidence may be considered against the new committee at this meeting.

This comes just weeks after the old guard accused the new Exco of recruiting members to "muscle their way onto the Exco" in the society's annual general meeting.

When asked of their intention of joining AWARE, the new Exco said they wanted to bring fresh ideas to the organisation and improve the quality of life of women in Singapore. They are also planning programmes to help women who are suffering during the economic downturn.

- CNA/ms

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/423051/1/.html

DBS "reviewing" employee's appointment as AWARE president

2009-04-17T10:48:00.000+08:00

SINGAPORE: As observers reacted with surprise to DBS Bank’s declaration that it did not support employee Josie Lau’s appointment as president of a local women’s advocacy group, the bank on Thursday further revealed that it was “reviewing the matter internally” - after she had "knowingly disregarded" its staff code of conduct twice.

Said a bank spokesperson: “Such attitude is not one that DBS, or any other organisation, can condone in a leader.”

Ms Lau, who is the bank’s vice-president of consumer banking group cards and unsecured loans, was on Wednesday night named the new Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) chief.

Shortly after, DBS issued a statement implying that Ms Lau had gone against its wishes in taking up the post.

Shedding more light on this on Thursday, DBS revealed that Ms Lau had informed the bank on April 13 that she had been appointed to the AWARE executive committee - more than two weeks after the deed was done on March 28.

“She had not sought prior approval for this appointment and thereby breached the staff code of conduct. Nevertheless, DBS made a concession and agreed to support her involvement as exco member,” said the bank spokesperson.

Then, early this week, she told the bank she was aiming for the top post.

The bank reviewed this request and informed her that while it continued to support her involvement in AWARE, “we could not support her intent to run for president, given the demands associated with the top post of a leading advocacy group in Singapore”.

“Banks worldwide are facing very challenging times and her role as VP in the credit card space today is even more challenging, given the environment we are in,” added the spokesperson. “We are disappointed that Josie knowingly disregarded DBS’ staff code of conduct twice.”

Ms Lau declined to comment, with an AWARE spokesperson saying she would speak to the media once things settled down.

The bank’s public rebuke has puzzled some. It was one thing for firms to express concern in private over employees’ involvement in external activities, and quite another to do so publicly, particularly for a senior staff, they felt.

“At the very senior management level, there should be adequate communication about such involvements... In this case, there may be some other issues of which we may be unaware,” said Singapore Human Resource Institute executive director David Ang.

“For DBS to issue such a statement, (the situation) must be of some gravity.”

TODAY understands that under the Banking Act, all bank employees must declare their involvement with external organisations, such as NGOs, to avoid a potential clash of interest.

Banks contacted confirmed the industry practice. Said OCBC spokesperson Koh Ching Ching: “Financial institutions also need to know of potential conflicts for any possible supplier-buyer situations, even for accounts held by non-profit organisations or charities with us.”

The bank respects staff’s “own assessment of their own abilities to balance work, family and community service activities”; still, they are encouraged to discuss their external commitments “if they need advice”.

Within the NGO sector, Ms Lau – who joined DBS in 2004 after 15 years of developing and marketing events with the Singapore Tourism Board – is not alone in incurring employers’ dissatisfaction.

One NGO veteran who declined to be named told TODAY, his employers have from time to time “pressured” him to give up his commitments.

Dr Geh Min, who stepped down last year as Nature Society president, said it ultimately boils down to the trust between employer and staff.

“It’s right for a company to expect commitment and loyalty... it’s up to the employee to convince the company he can juggle (the demands),” said the ophthalmologist who runs her own clinic.

Mr Ang said that even among companies with a policy against staff holding external appointments, most are flexible on the matter.

Citing his own experience as president of the Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation, Singapore Cable Manufacturer chairman Renny Yeo feels such involvement would further hone a person’s leadership and organisational skills, which would in turn benefit the company.

But the bottomline, said Mr Yeo, is whether the company feels the staff is up to the balancing act.

The mantra at DBS, it seems, is no different.

Stressing that the bank “takes pride in” the many DBS employees who are involved in community, charity or volunteer groups in their personal capacity, the spokesperson reiterated that these staff “had sought and obtained prior approval to do so”.

Approval is granted on a case-by-case basis, “depending on the demands of the proposed external appointment and the job responsibilities the individual holds in the bank”.

- TODAY/yb

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/422969/1/.html

Exco opens up, but old guard still want EGM

2009-04-17T07:44:00.001+08:00

Today Online - Friday, April 17, 2009

Zul Othman

zul@mediacorp.com.sg

A STATEMENT on Wednesday outlining the new-guard leadership’s plans, followed yesterday by detailed CVs of the 11 members —mostly unknown faces — may have gone a tiny way towards mending the rift with older members of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware).

Long-time member Corrine Lim called the statement “a step in the right direction”, after two-and-a-half weeks of silence from the executive committee. Still, Aware veterans remain sceptical until a date for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) is set.

“They said they would honour the values and work Aware has done, but so far, their actions don’t really match the statement issued,” Ms Lim said. There remain “a lot of question marks among members”.

Founding member Margaret Thomas said a meeting would give the new leaders a chance “to be transparent” and “convince us (the old guard) that there is no hidden agenda” behind the leadership change.

The new exco, which came to power in a surprise election result on March 28, on Wednesday night appointed a new president. Yesterday, biodata of the exco members were released to the media — including, for the first time, the nine new faces who come from diverse professional backgrounds in the business, banking, finance, legal, education, human resource and social service sectors.

But the exco could yet face a no-confidence motion at the EGM that 150 members like Ms Lim are calling for.

As of press time, the exco had not replied to Today’s queries about whether an EGM would be held, how it might go about reconciliation efforts, or if it would take Aware in any new directions.

In its statement, however, the new leaders had said they intend to “build on the solid foundations laid by the founders” and would “remember and honour the work of past Aware members”.

In particular, new president Josie Lau said the team would “seek to collaborate and align Aware with other women’s organisations” in outreach to girls and women hit by the recession, such as equipping those retrenched with new skills.

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/314337.asp

Aware chief falls foul of employer DBS

2009-04-17T07:41:00.000+08:00

The Business Times - Fri, Apr 17, 2009

Siow Li Sen

(SINGAPORE) The new president of women's advocacy group Aware may have to negotiate some tricky obstacles at her workplace, as her employer DBS Bank Holdings has gone public with its misgivings about her conduct.

DBS said Josie Lau, who heads marketing for credit cards and unsecured loans, had not sought the bank's approval before she was appointed to Aware's exco on March 28.

This breached the staff code of conduct, but the bank nevertheless agreed to let her take up the appointment as a concession.

Later, when she wanted to run for the post of president, the bank made it clear that it could not support her move, given the demands of the post and her own responsibilities. She ignored its advice.

'We are disappointed that Josie knowingly disregarded DBS' staff code of conduct twice,' said a DBS spokesperson.

'Such attitude is not one that DBS, or any other organisation, can condone in a leader. We are now reviewing the matter internally.'

With this blunt assessment, DBS added a corporate twist to what has been seen as a change of guard at Aware.

Incidentally, Ms Lau's department was behind a DBS credit card campaign last November which landed the bank in hot water with the gay community.

In the current case, DBS was at pains to spell out its stand on staff involvement in matters outside the workplace. It said it takes pride in the fact that many DBS employees are involved with various community/ charity/volunteer organisations in their personal capacity.

'These employees had sought and obtained prior approval to do so, in accordance with the bank's staff code of conduct,' it said.

Approval is granted depending on the demands of the external appointment as well as the job responsibilities that the individual holds in the bank, it said.

Ms Lau informed the bank of her appointment as Aware exco member on April 13, more than two weeks after she was appointed on March 28.

'She had not sought prior approval for this appointment and thereby breached the staff code of conduct. Nevertheless, DBS made a concession and agreed to support her involvement as exco member,' said the bank.

This week, when Ms Lau told DBS of her intention to run for president of Aware, the bank said it could not support her, given the demands associated with the top post of a leading advocacy group in Singapore.

'Banks worldwide are facing very challenging times and her role as vice- president in the credit card space today is even more challenging, given the environment we are in,' DBS said.

'Every year, all employees are required to acknowledge that they will abide by the bank's policies.' But Ms Lau knowingly disregarded the staff code of conduct twice, it said.

Ms Lau and a group of new Aware members have been making regular headlines following their coup at last month's annual general meeting when they ousted the old guard. Nine of the 12 seats on the society's executive committee went to the new faces.

Attempts to contact Ms Lau for comments last night were not successful. In her resume she says she is responsible for driving retail usage on DBS credit/ debit cards, through partnerships with retail merchants for offers and privileges for its base of more than one million card members.

Last November, Ms Lau led the marketing team in a DBS credit card campaign which supported the evangelical Christian organisation Focus On The Family (FOTF).

That credit card promotion where DBS said that it would donate money to FOTF, 'a charity dedicated to helping children and families thrive', led to calls to boycott the bank from members of the gay and lesbian community.

FOTF in Singapore is an affiliate of a US-based organisation of the same name founded in 1977 by evangelical Christian James Dobson who campaigns against gay rights.

Jean Chong, a gay activist told BT that she decided to move the majority of her money out of DBS after that incident.

Margaret Thomas, former Aware vice-president said it's not unusual for companies to require staff to get permission before taking on external appointments.

'The Aware president's role is quite time consuming, with many meetings and events to attend, and DBS appears to be concerned that this will affect Josie's work performance,' said Ms Thomas.

'However it is most unusual for a company to issue a press statement along these lines.'

http://news.asiaone.com/News/The%2BBusiness%2BTimes/Story/A1Story20090417-135948.html

She did it not once, but twice

2009-04-17T07:09:00.000+08:00

Today Online - Friday, April 17, 2009

Loh Chee Kong

cheekong@mediacorp.com.sg

AS OBSERVERS reacted with surprise to DBS Bank’s declaration that it did not support employee Josie Lau’s appointment as president of a local women’s advocacy group, the bank yesterday further revealed that it was “reviewing the matter internally” — after she had “knowingly disregarded” its staff code of conduct twice.

Said a bank spokesperson: “Such attitude is not one that DBS, or any other organisation, can condone in a leader.”

Ms Lau, who is the bank’s vice-president of consumer banking group cards and unsecured loans, was on Wednesday night named the new Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) chief. Shortly after, DBS issued a statement implying that Ms Lau had gone against its wishes in taking up the post.

Shedding more light on this yesterday, DBS revealed that Ms Lau had informed the bank on April 13 that she had been appointed to the Aware executive committee — more than two weeks after the deed was done on March 28.

“She had not sought prior approval for this appointment and thereby breached the staff code of conduct. Nevertheless, DBS made a concession and agreed to support her involvement as exco member,” said the bank spokesperson.

Then, early this week, she told the bank she was aiming for the top post. The bank reviewed this request and informed her that while it continued to support her involvement in Aware, “we could not support her intent to run for president, given the demands associated with the top post of a leading advocacy group in Singapore”.

“Banks worldwide are facing very challenging times and her role as VP in the credit card space today is even more challenging, given the environment we are in,” added the spokesperson. “We are disappointed that Josie knowingly disregarded DBS’ staff code of conduct twice.”

Ms Lau declined to comment, with an Aware spokesperson saying she would speak to the media once things settled down.

The bank’s public rebuke has puzzled some. It was one thing for firms to express concern in private over employees’ involvement in external activities, and quite another to do so publicly, particularly for a senior staff, they felt.

“At the very senior management level, there should be adequate communication about such involvements ... In this case, there may be some other issues of which we may be unaware,” said Singapore Human Resource Institute executive director David Ang.

“For DBS to issue such a statement, (the situation) must be of some gravity,”

TODAY understands that under the Banking Act, all bank employees must declare their involvement with external organisations, such as NGOs, to avoid a potential clash of interest.

Banks contacted confirmed the industry practice. Said OCBC spokesperson Koh Ching Ching: “Financial institutions also need to know of potential conflicts for any possible supplier-buyer situations, even for accounts held by non-profit organisations or charities with us.”

The bank respects staff’s “own assessment of their own abilities to balance work, family and community service activities”; still, they are encouraged to discuss their external commitments “if they need advice”.

SUBHD:

Within the NGO sector, Ms Lau – who joined DBS in 2004 after 15 years of developing and marketing events with the Singapore Tourism Board – is not alone in incurring employers’ dissatisfaction. One NGO veteran who declined to be named told TODAY, his employers have from time to time “pressured” him to give up his commitments.

Dr Geh Min, who stepped down last year as Nature Society president, said it ultimately boils down to the trust between employer and staff. “It’s right for a company to expect commitment and loyalty ... it’s up to the employee to convince the company he can juggle (the demands),” said the ophthalmologist who runs her own clinic.

Mr Ang said that even among companies with a policy against staff holding external appointments, most are flexible on the matter.

Citing his own experience as president of the Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation, Singapore Cable Manufacturer chairman Renny Yeo feels such involvement would further hone a person’s leadership and organisational skills, which would in turn benefit the company. But the bottomline, said Mr Yeo, is whether the company feels the staff is up to the balancing act.

The mantra at DBS, it seems, is no different.

Stressing that the bank “takes pride in” the many DBS employees who are involved in community, charity or volunteer groups in their personal capacity, the spokesperson reiterated that these staff “had sought and obtained prior approval to do so”. Approval is granted on a case-by-case basis, “depending on the demands of the proposed external appointment and the job responsiblities the individual holds in the bank”.

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/314331.asp

What’s good for the goose ... Isn’t for the gander?

2009-04-17T07:07:00.002+08:00

Today Online - Friday, April 17, 2009

What’s good for the goose ... Isn’t for the gander? DBS has other multi-taskers too, besides Aware’s president

Conrad Raj

editor-at-large | conrad@mediacorp.com.sg

ONE might wonder if there is more than meets the eye, in DBS Bank’s disapproval of Ms Josie Lau Meng Lee’s appointment as president of Aware.

The bank said on Wednesday that although it supported her involvement in Aware as a council member in her own personal capacity, it was “not supportive” of her running for presidency of the women’s advocacy group.

“We believe that as a VP (vice-president) in DBS, she already has a challenging job with many responsibilities and the role of president would demand too much of her time and energy,” the bank said in a media statement.

If it is the case that Ms Lau’s new post at Aware would take up too much of her time, then what about the various external groups that the bank’s senior management are involved in?

Mr Koh Boon Hwee already has a full time job as executive director of MediaRing. Yet he chairs DBS Holdings, since the late chief executive Richard Stanley became ill with cancer, where he has been involved in the daily running of Singapore’s largest commercial bank.

Furthermore, Mr Koh is a director of Sunningdale Tech, chairman of the Board of Trustees at Nanyang Technological University, a director at Temasek Holdings, and on the boards of Agilent Technologies and the Hewlett Foundation. Is that not more onerous than being a VP of DBS’ credit card division and president of Aware?

Mr Koh is not the only one multi-tasking at the bank; most of its other directors sit on other boards besides having full-time jobs.

Take Dr Bart Broadman, 47, for example. He is not only managing director of Singapore-based Alphadyne Asset Management which he founded, but is also a board member of the Central Provident Fund Board, serving on its Investment Committee; as well as vice-chairman of the Board of Governors at the Singapore American School.

Board member Kwa Chong Seng, 62, is not only chairman and managing director of oil giant ExxonMobil Asia Pacific and the lead manager of the company’s subsidiaries in Singapore, but also deputy chairman of Temasek Holdings, a director of Sinopec SenMei (Fujian) Petroleum Company and a member of the Public Service and Legal Service commissions.

Mr Wong Ngit Liong, 67, is not only a member of DBS’ Board and its Audit committee, the Nominating and Compensation committee and the Management Development committee — but also runs one of the biggest contract manufacturing plants in Singapore, the Venture Group of companies. He is also chairman of the NUS Board of Trustees and a member of the Research Innovation and Enterprise Council.

All this aside, several of Singapore’s Ministers and top civil servants hold more than one portfolio. In fact, many permanent secretaries sit on various boards of statutory boards and private companies, besides running their respective ministries.

Yet, Ms Lau is considered not capable of handling the presidency of Aware and her job at DBS. Is the bank that demanding an employer? Also, she was given approval to be a council member but not take on the higher-profile appointment at Aware: One would have thought, it would be a feather in DBS’ cap to have a staff member gaining the presidency of a prominent organisation.

In any case, DBS should be judging Ms Lau on her performance at the bank. If she is not able to perform adequately as a VP, there are various measures the bank can take to improve her performance, including cutting her bonus or stagnating her pay.

Unless there are other factors at play here?

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/314291.asp

Conrad Raj

editor-at-large | conrad@mediacorp.com.sg

ONE might wonder if there is more than meets the eye, in DBS Bank’s disapproval of Ms Josie Lau Meng Lee’s appointment as president of Aware.

If it is the case that Ms Lau’s new post at Aware would take up too much of her time, then what about the various external groups that the bank’s senior management are involved in?

Mr Koh is not the only one multi-tasking at the bank; most of its other directors sit on other boards besides having full-time jobs.

In any case, DBS should be judgingMs Lau on her performance at the bank. If she is not able to perform adequately as a VP, there are various measures the bank can take to improve her performance, including cutting her bonus or stagnating her pay.

Unless there are other factors at play here?

Isn’t for the gander? DBS has other multi-taskers too, besides Aware’s president

Conrad Raj

editor-at-large | conrad@mediacorp.com.sg

ONE might wonder if there is more than meets the eye, in DBS Bank’s disapproval of Ms Josie Lau Meng Lee’s appointment as president of Aware.

If it is the case that Ms Lau’s new post at Aware would take up too much of her time, then what about the various external groups that the bank’s senior management are involved in?

Mr Koh is not the only one multi-tasking at the bank; most of its other directors sit on other boards besides having full-time jobs.

In any case, DBS should be judgingMs Lau on her performance at the bank. If she is not able to perform adequately as a VP, there are various measures the bank can take to improve her performance, including cutting her bonus or stagnating her pay.

The new guard consolidates

2009-04-16T07:49:00.000+08:00

Today Online - Thursday, April 16, 2009

Josie Lau picked as president at late night meeting

ALICIA WONG

alicia@mediacorp.com.sg

THE new guard sealed its leadership grab in women’s advocacy group Aware yesterday when one of their own, Ms Josie Lau Meng Lee, was appointed president.

The executive committee of the group was meeting one week after its then newly-elected president and older member Claire Nazar abruptly resigned.

Ms Lau holds a senior position in DBS Bank as vice-president for its cards. Her husband, Today understands, is associate member Dr Alan Chin who helped count the votes at the society’s annual general meeting (AGM) on March 28.

The AGM made news when nine of the 12 seats on the society’s Exco went to new faces, including the positions of vice-president, honorary secretary, honorarytreasurer and assistant honorary secretary.

Last night’s meeting was also not without its share of drama when about three hours after it began, Ms Caris Lim — one of two long-time Exco members who had not been ousted — walked out.

“I am very disillusioned. I don’t like what’s going on, so I am walking out,” she said with a sombre face as she left the meeting at 10.15pm.

Ms Lau, 48, was chosen as president from the six non-office bearers which included Ms Lim. The other long-time Aware member still on the Exco is Ms Chew I-Jin, who is assistant honorary treasurer.

After the meeting ended at around11pm, Ms Lau told the press she was “delighted to have been elected”. At this point, however, an Aware staff clarified that Ms Lau had been “appointed”.

In her position, Ms Lau said she will “aspire to bring Aware to a new level of development, advocacy and growth for women of the nation”. She declined to comment further but said she would “propel” the group as a “positive agent in advancing the causes of women in particular in times like now which is very, very challenging”.

Some members had arrived at Aware’s headquarters at Dover Crescent for the meeting wearing strained, stern looks. But Ms Lau ended her night just as she had started it — composed and courteous.

Also present was Ms Constance Singam, the immediate past president for Aware, which stands for the Association of Women for Action and Research.

She declined to comment before the meeting started, but said later that “we” will not be resigning from the group as it is one they love and have been committed to for “a very long time”.

Cyberspace has been abuzz with rumours about the religious and allegedly anti-gay views of the new Exco members. It has also been reported that some of them, including honorary secretary Jenica Chua, as well as Dr Chin have written to the media about homosexuality.

Ms Chua had written in October 2007 about Non-nominated Member of Parliament Siew Kum Hong petitioning to repeal Section 377A of the Penal Code which criminalises homosexual sex between consenting men.

Dr Chin has cautioned against the risks of promoting the homosexual lifestyle.

At the same time that the meeting was taking place last night, the group was also holding a party for its volunteers at its premises.

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/314105.asp

Women's advocacy group AWARE picks new president

2009-04-16T07:48:00.003+08:00

The executive committee of the group was meeting one week after its then newly-elected president and older member Claire Nazar abruptly resigned.

Ms Lau holds a senior position in DBS Bank as vice-president for its cards. Her husband, TODAY understands, is associate member Dr Alan Chin who helped count the votes at the society’s annual general meeting (AGM) on March 28.

The AGM made news when nine of the 12 seats on the society’s Exco went to new faces, including the positions of vice-president, honorary secretary, honorary treasurer and assistant honorary secretary.

Wednesday night’s meeting was also not without its share of drama when about three hours after it began, Ms Caris Lim — one of two long-time Exco members who had not been ousted — walked out.

“I am very disillusioned. I don’t like what’s going on, so I am walking out,” she said with a sombre face as she left the meeting at 10.15pm.

Ms Lau, 48, was chosen as president from the six non-office bearers which included Ms Lim. The other long-time AWARE member still on the Exco is Ms Chew I-Jin, who is assistant honorary treasurer.

After the meeting ended at around 11pm, Ms Lau told the press she was “delighted to have been elected”. At this point, however, an AWARE staff clarified that Ms Lau had been “appointed”.

In her position, Ms Lau said she will “aspire to bring AWARE to a new level of development, advocacy and growth for women of the nation”.

She declined to comment further but said she would “propel” the group as a “positive agent in advancing the causes of women in particular in times like now which is very, very challenging”.

However, Ms Lau’s employer, DBS Bank, informed Ms Lau prior “to the AWARE election” that, although the bank supported her involvement in AWARE as council member in her own personal capacity, the bank was “not supportive” of her intent to run for president of AWARE, a spokesman told TODAY late Wednesday night.

"We believe that as a VP in DBS, she already has a challenging job with many responsibilities and the role of president would demand too much of her time and energy,” the spokesperson said.

Also present at AWARE's headquarters at Dover Crescent for the meeting was Ms Constance Singam, the immediate past president for Aware, which stands for the Association of Women for Action and Research.

She declined to comment before the meeting started, but said later that “we” will not be resigning from the group as it is one they love and have been committed to for “a very long time”.

Cyberspace has been abuzz with rumours about the religious and allegedly anti-gay views of the new Exco members. It has also been reported that some of them, including honorary secretary Jenica Chua, as well as Dr Chin have written to the media about homosexuality.

Ms Chua had written in October 2007 about Non-nominated Member of Parliament Siew Kum Hong petitioning to repeal Section 377A of the Penal Code which criminalises homosexual sex between consenting men.

Dr Chin has cautioned against the risks of promoting the homosexual lifestyle.

At the same time that the meeting was taking place, the group was also holding a party for its volunteers at its premises.

- TODAY/yb

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/422671/1/.html

DBS exec is Aware's head

2009-04-16T06:00:00.002+08:00

Straits Times - April 16, 2009

DBS exec is Aware's head

Josie Lau appointed despite employer's advice not to run

By Tan Dawn Wei, Wong Kim Hoh & Yen Feng

BANK executive Josie Lau, 48, was appointed the new president of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) on Wednesday night at a meeting of the new team in charge.

She is vice-president of consumer banking group cards and unsecured loans for DBS Bank.

But shortly after she announced that she was president, posed for pictures and made brief comments to reporters, her employer expressed unhappiness that she had taken the top post at Singapore's best-known women's group.

DBS Bank said it had told her just before last night's Aware exco meeting that it did not support her running for president. The bank said it supported employees' participation in community work, but they needed approval before taking on external appointments.

And Ms Lau did not have the green light to be Aware president.

'We believe that as a vice-president in DBS, she already has a challenging job with many responsibilities, and the role of president would demand too much of her time and energy,' a spokesman said last night.

Ms Lau could not be reached to comment as the new team wanted media queries to be channelled via the Aware office.

Checks by The Straits Times revealed that she is married to Dr Alan Chin Yew Liang, who owns several clinics under the Lifeline Medical Group. They have two teenage daughters, and Ms Lau is also listed as director and shareholder in some of her husband's clinics.

A beaming Ms Lau refused to take questions from reporters when she emerged from last night's exco meeting which lasted nearly four hours. But she said she was pleased and delighted to be president.

'Together with the new exco which was duly elected under the Constitution, I will build on the good work of the past Aware members who advanced the causes for women in all areas of society through advocacy, research and community work,' she said.

************************************************************

DBS TO LAU: DON'T RUN FOR TOP POST

A STATEMENT issued by a DBS spokesman:

'The bank requires all employees to obtain approval before running for or taking on an external appointment, and many DBS employees are involved in community work and/or support various charity organisations in their own personal capacity.

'Josie was informed prior to the Aware election this evening that although the bank supports her involvement in Aware as council member, in her own personal capacity, DBS is, however, not supportive of her intent to run for president of Aware. We believe that as a vice-president in DBS, she already has a challenging job with many responsibilities, and the role of president would demand too much of her time and energy.'

************************************************************

NEW TEAM PLEDGES TO WORK FOR FULL EQUALITY OF THE SEXES

THIS is the statement issued by the new team at Aware shortly after midnight. It included an updated list of the executive committee, but did not provide any details about the women in charge:

'Aware, Singapore's leading women's advocacy organisation, is delighted to announce that its new president is Ms Josie Lau. She is joined by a dynamic, fresh and committed group of women forming the executive committee, who hail from diverse professional backgrounds drawn from the business, banking, finance, legal, education, management, human resource and social service sectors.

2009 marks the jubilee of our nation (50 years of self-government). In this period, the cause of women has made many great strides in many respects. The new team at Aware wishes to remember and honour the work of past Aware members for their vision and endeavours to advance the cause of women in all areas of society through advocacy and community work.

The new team intends to build on the solid foundations laid by the founders of Aware and will continue to promote the participation of women, on equal terms with men, in the political, social, economic and cultural life of our society. The goal remains to bring about full equality of the sexes and to end all forms of discrimination against women.

Aware will build on existing advocacy, research (eg. attitude and policies towards singles) and education to empower women to deal with various forms of discrimination, raise their awareness of rights and responsibilities, and promote their welfare in tandem with the standards in the Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (Cedaw). In 1995, Singapore became a party to Cedaw which contains benchmarks against which to measure the elimination of discrimination against women on a national basis.

Singapore has made much progress in areas like education and health but can do better in other respects. In particular, the new team will seek to promote the role of women in politics and public life as Article 7 of Cedaw affirms. We endorse the Cedaw committee recommendation that women's participation in public life should reach a minimum of 30 per cent to 35 per cent, sharing the conviction that this will revitalise political and public life.

The new team will, as a paramount objective, seek to empower women to be leaders in our society, in politics, business, the professions and in all areas of endeavour which will benefit our nation.

President Josie Lau says: 'In these challenging times, the new team will actively seek to collaborate and align Aware with other women's organisations with outreach to girls and women who are affected by the current economic downturn.

'The new team aims to empower women who have been retrenched and equip them with new skills. In this context, we will work with training agencies and launch a series of programmes of practical assistance, such as grooming, budgeting, finance and debt management, career planning and management of change. We will continue to provide emotional, psychological or legal support for women.'

We call on all women of Singapore to rise to the challenge of taking on leadership roles in our nation. We invite volunteers to help make Aware a positive agent of change for the beneficial transformation of our society, where all people, regardless of race, religion or sex, are valued and have a place under the sun.'

************************************************************

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_364307.html

160 AWARE members call for meeting to question new ExCo

2009-04-14T20:57:00.002+08:00

By Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia Posted: 14 April 2009 2057 hrs

SINGAPORE : 160 members of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) have submitted a request to call an extraordinary general meeting for the society, where a motion of no confidence in the newly-elected Executive Committee (ExCo) will be considered.

It all started at the AWARE annual general meeting on March 28.

Nine of the 12 Executive Committee positions went to newcomers during that meeting. Over 100 people had turned up to vote and many of these voters had only just joined AWARE.

Some of the newcomers have previously written to the media speaking against homosexuality. AWARE, on the other hand, is known for its liberal stance.

"It (AWARE) stands for choice, it stands for gender equity, it stands for democracy, it stands for diversity, plurality. That's why our membership has always been open," said Corinna Lim, a former Executive Committee member and AWARE member since 1992.

When asked for their reasons for seeking leadership, the new ExCo members declined comment.

"We told you that ExCo is going to be meeting sometime this week, after which there will be a press release. So there is no comment," said Charlotte Wong, VP of AWARE.

Its newly-elected President, Claire Nazar, a longtime member of AWARE, resigned barely two weeks after being voted in.

Some past presidents in the meantime, have been collecting signatures to call for an extraordinary general meeting - prompting some observers to comment that they are behaving like sore losers.

"We welcome change, it is not about losing at all. Someone from a different group came in, have certain ideas about what AWARE should be doing and hasn't communicated it, and all we want to know now is what this is about," said Lim.

"The extraordinary general meeting is an opportunity for the new guard to explain their position and win the members over. We can't really comment whether they will hold fast to the traditional line of AWARE, but I can't imagine why not, if they chose to enter AWARE and run for office there," said political analyst Gillian Koh.

The current committee has not replied to members' request to hold the meeting. AWARE has about 500 members.

- CNA /ls

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/422301/1/.html

150 AWARE members seek vote of no confidence in new executive committee

2009-04-14T14:35:00.001+08:00

By Channel NewsAsia Posted: 14 April 2009 1435 hrs

SINGAPORE: Some members of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) have sought a vote of no confidence in the newly elected executive committee.

In a statement, 150 AWARE members said they submitted a request to the society's current executive committee to call for an extra-ordinary general meeting (EOGM) as soon as possible.

The meeting will be asked to consider a motion of no confidence in the executive committee, as a result of the "unusual nature of the annual general meeting last month” when a large number of new members turned up and appeared to have voted for several office bearers, all of whom are also new members.

Barely two weeks after the AGM, the newly elected president, Claire Nazar, resigned.

The statement said AWARE members are concerned about these developments, and that the EOGM will be an opportunity for members to raise and discuss their concerns with the executive committee directly.

The group has asked that the notice for the EOGM be issued no later than 14 days from Tuesday.

- CNA/yb

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/422230/1/.html

Unknowns knock out veterans at Aware polls

2009-04-10T07:25:00.002+08:00

Straits Times - 10 April 2009

Caught off-guard by big turnout, longtime members lose to fresh faces

By Wong Kim Hoh

SINGAPORE'S best-known women's group, the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware), has seen a dramatic changing of the guard - which some members are describing as nothing short of a leadership grab.

When Aware held its annual general meeting on March 28, everyone expected the usual: No more than 30 or 40 members would turn up at its Dover Crescent centre, and a prepared slate of candidates would be voted into office easily.

Instead, more than 100 people came, the majority of whom had joined Aware only in recent months.

And when the election of office bearers began, almost every position was challenged by new faces, who won by wide majorities.

In the end, nine out of 12 executive committee spots went to the newcomers.

One older member who won without a contest was Mrs Claire Nazar, a former corporate counsel nominated to be president by outgoing Aware chief Constance Singam.

But barely a week into her new term, and before making her first statement as president, Mrs Nazar quit suddenly this week.

She confirmed that she had resigned, but declined to say any more when reached by The Straits Times.

It is not known who will now become president.

Longtime members took two other positions: Chew I-Jin as assistant honorary treasurer and Caris Lim Chai Leng was elected a committee member.

The election results have left longtime Aware members in shock.

Former president Tan Joo Hymn, 38, told The Straits Times the big turnout at the AGM surprised her.

'I arrived at the meeting late and found out that I was No. 100 on the attendance list. I've been a member for 10 years, and never before has there been such a turnout,' said the former lawyer who is now a full-time mother.

Another former president, writer Dana Lam, 57, said: 'There were many faces I had not seen before, and I found that very strange.

'In previous years, even if there were new members, they would be known to one or more of the older members.'

The first indication that something was afoot came when Ms Chew, an Aware veteran, was challenged and defeated handsomely by new member Charlotte Wong Hock Soon for the post of vice-president.

Ms Chew was later elected unopposed as assistant honorary treasurer.

'It was alarming,' said Ms Lam. 'How could a new member who had just joined for a couple of months, and whom we knew nothing about, be picked over someone who has been with Aware for more than 15 years?'

Some of the older members immediately began checking the attendance list.

Ms Tan said: 'We found that about 80 of the 102 who turned up were new members who joined between January and March this year.'

Aware, a feminist group that has prided itself on being 'all inclusive', has never vetted the people who apply to be members.

Men can join too, as associate members.

As it dawned on them that a leadership grab was imminent, some older members at the AGM tried asking the newcomers who they were, what they stood for, and why they wanted to be in charge.

They got only the briefest answers, they said.

Ms Lam said she tried suggesting that new members serve a stint on Aware's various sub-committees before standing for election to leadership positions.

But such suggestions went unheeded as the election proceeded, with more newcomers winning executive committee positions by landslide margins.

Ironically, the old guard at Aware had been working towards changing their Constitution to make it a rule that only those who have been members for at least a year would be eligible to join the ex-co.

There is currently no rule to bar a brand new member from seeking office, and that was what happened at the AGM.

Ms Tan said: 'We were simply outnumbered. Technically, they got in legitimately.'

She added that the way the election proceeded was so unusual, it was hard to imagine that the takeover was not a planned effort.

'It could not be pure coincidence,' she said.

But little is known of Aware's new leaders, aside from the fact that they include women from the corporate sector, lawyers, company directors and academics.

Older members said the newcomers spoke well but would not elaborate on their plans for Aware.

'When asked if they believed in equality, they kept repeating they were there to support women and to make sure they got ahead and got all the opportunities given to them,' Ms Lam said.

Older members were keen to know if the newcomers shared Aware's vision and values, including equality for all regardless of race, religion or sexuality.

But one outspoken new member from the floor, who identified herself as Angela Thiang, said questions about the new office bearers' religion and their stand on homosexuality were not relevant.

Former Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Braema Mathi, a two-term president of Aware, told The Straits Times that she, like many other members, was concerned.

'If you are keen to serve, you don't challenge every position. We do not know who they are,' said the former journalist who is now in Bangkok doing consultancy work for international women's group Unifem.

'It is very troubling, more so because I've heard the new president has resigned.'

Almost a fortnight into their new roles, the new leaders of Aware were not entertaining calls from the media this week.

New honorary secretary Jenica Chua Chor Ping told The Straits Times a press release would be issued 'in a few days' and added that until then, the committee would not answer any questions.

A check showed that some of those at the AGM and on the new committee have appeared in The Straits Times Forum Page.

Ms Chua, Ms Thiang and Dr Alan Chin, a male member of Aware who attended the AGM and supported the newcomers, all wrote letters to this newspaper between August and October 2007.

In a letter on Oct 17 that year, Ms Chua said NMP Siew Kum Hong had overstepped his non-partisan role and advanced the homosexual cause by tabling a petition in Parliament to repeal Section 377A of the Penal Code which criminalises homosexual sex between consenting men.

In another letter on Oct 25, she took issue with a Straits Times report which said NMP Thio Li-Ann had been 'visibly distraught' when she opposed Mr Siew's petition vigorously.

Ms Chua said Ms Thio had dealt with several points succinctly, with humour and passion.

Dr Chin and Ms Thiang both wrote letters to caution against the risks of promoting the homosexual lifestyle.

Meanwhile, news of Aware's AGM has spread among older members who did not attend the meeting, as well as civil society groups.

The most frequently-asked questions: Who are the new women in charge, why do they want the leadership, and what are their plans for Aware?

Ms Mathi said: 'The building of an institution takes many years; building its value system is even harder.

'Why can't they come in and be part of the process, and build it together and in a more evolutionary manner? That way, the comfort level will be high for everyone.'

Former newspaper editor and media consultant Peter Lim, a longtime associate member of Aware, said he was very surprised to learn what had taken place.

Asked why he thought a group of newcomers would want to take control, he said he did not know if it was an orchestrated effort.

But he thought Aware would be attractive to those seeking to be in charge of an established institution. Setting up a new outfit would take too much time and trouble.

'Aware has built up its credentials over the years and achieved more than a few things,' he said.

Three former Aware presidents - Ms Claire Chiang, Dr Kanwaljit Soin and Ms Mathi - have served as NMPs.

'Aware is a brand name and most people regard it as the leading voice of the feminists and modern women in Singapore,' said Mr Lim.

kimhoh@sph.com.sg

http://www.straitstimes.com/vgn-ext-templating/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f6e23742afb80210VgnVCM100000430a0a0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=4e60758920e39010VgnVCM1000000a35010aRCRD

What has AWARE done for women in Singapore?

2009-04-01T13:47:00.000+08:00

Inspired by the 1984 seminar “Women’s Choices, Women’s Lives” where a panel of women spoke to an audience of about fifty people, a few good women got together and started AWARE. Thanks to the solid, consistent pursuit of AWARE’s vision for gender equality and to the unswerving dedication of its members and volunteers, the organisation is recognized as a significant contributor to the Singaporean community on gender issues.

Over the years AWARE has focused on research & advocacy aimed at identifying and researching areas for improvement in gender equality. AWARE has released over twenty research publications, including most recently The Research Study on Workplace Sexual Harassment (2008), United Nations CEDAW Shadow Report (2007), Small Steps, Giant Leaps (2007), Foreign Bride Report: Beyond Happily Ever After (2006), Beyond Borders: Sex with Children (2006), Beyond Babies: National Duty or Personal Choice? (2004), Beyond Youth: Women Growing Older and Poorer (2004), Remaking Singapore: Views of Half the Nation (2002), Rape: Weapon of Terror (2000), as well as the annual Awareness Journal: Collection of Essays, Poetry and Interviews. The AWARE office also features a comprehensive library of resources dealing with women’s issues which is open to members and researchers by appointment.

In addition, AWARE is committed to public education. Through the AWARE Training Institute, campaigns, and seminars and forums, AWARE aims to support women to reach their highest potential. Topics of focus have consisted of body image, gender stereotypes, and violence against women. Recent programmes include Comprehensive Sexuality Education, Financial Intelligence Training, the White Ribbon Campaign, as well as ongoing lectures at educational institutions.

AWARE has also consistently offered direct services to Singaporean women in need, which include the Helpline, Befrienders Programme, Legal Clinic, and Counselling Services. AWARE has helped an average of two-hundred women per month with these services.

AWARE’s valuable work over the past two decades has contributed to the* 2007 revisions to the penal code, including issues of marital rape

* 2007 United Nations recognition of how Singapore can become more compliant with the Convention to Eliminate all forms of Discrimination Against Women
* 2006 development of legal reforms that addressed gaps in Singapore’s legislation on trafficking (in collaboration with NUS Pro Bono Law Society)
* 2005 equalisation of benefits in the current medical scheme in the Civil Service for male and female officers
* 2004 constitutional amendment to accord the same citizenship rights to the children of Singaporean women as for Singaporean men
* 2004 government acknowledgement that men and women play equal roles as joint “heads of household”
* 2004 nomination of Braema Mathiaparanam as Nominated Member of Parliament (appointed)* 2003 policy change lifting the quota restricting female intake in the Medical Faculty at NUS
* 1999 policy to allow women to sponsor their foreign spouses for citizenship or PR status
* 1996 revisions to the Women’s Charter to provide more protection for victims of domestic violence
* 1994 MOE decision to offer “Life Skills for Boys and Girls” instead of the previous arrangement which required girls to take home economics and boys to take technical studies
* 1994 change to the way police handle rape cases as a result of the Rape Study Committee’s “Proposal for standardising and enhancing police procedures in rape management”
* 1989 decision of the Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS) to develop new guidelines to curb discrimination in advertisements.

AWARE has a proven twenty-two year track record as an advocate of women’s rights dedicated to promoting gender equality and inspiring every woman to reach her full potential.

Who is AWARE?

2009-04-01T13:40:00.000+08:00

AWARE is Singapore’s leading advocacy group dedicated to promoting gender equality. Since its inception in 1985, AWARE has brought women’s perspectives to national issues and has focused on Research & Advocacy, Public Education, and Direct Services.

Their mission is to identify areas for improvement in gender equality, encourage positive change, and support women in realising their highest potential. They believe that gains made by women are not gains made at the expense of men. Rather, they are gains which benefit families and society as a whole.

AWARE is a not-for-profit non-government organisation and is funded solely by donations, grants, and member subscriptions.