Aware saga: The other questions we have to ask

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=

CONTROVERSY

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

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=

'What did she do to deserve position?'

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

New Aware head's job at DBS at risk

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