Government won't interfere in AWARE saga

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

AWARE Old Guard say they feel responsible for what has happened

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- CNA/so

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

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

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

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

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

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

AWARE old guard says debate is healthy

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 gives first media interview since appointment

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

AWARE president questions intentions of veterans unhappy over election outcome

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

160 AWARE members call for meeting to question new ExCo

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

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