Announcement: All comments are now under moderation before they are allowed to appear on this website. This is due to some comments which are insensitive and inflammatory. TOC will not tolerate comments which are aimed at fanning inter-religious insensitivities.
Press statement from the old guards of Aware.
We are glad that the truth is finally out. What happened at AWARE AGM on 28 March was a planned takeover by a group of women, guided by their “feminist mentor” Dr Thio Su Mien, who have taken it upon themselves to, as they put it, “bring AWARE back to its original, very noble, objective”.
The issue is not whether AWARE has indeed strayed from its original aims. What is really at stake is the space for a diversity of views in our cosmopolitan and pluralistic society. Singapore is a multiracial, mulitreligious and multicultural society. As we progress, the diversity will grow. We have to be able to co-exist, to live with differing views on many issues.
What has happened at AWARE is a threat to Singapore’s pluralistic society. A “feminist mentor” takes exception to some of AWARE’s programmes, decides to monitor the organisation’s activities, and then encourages women she knows to challenge AWARE; they could have invited AWARE to a seminar to discuss the programmes; they could have written to the media.
Instead, these women joined AWARE in the few months before the AGM and then voted their representatives onto the Executive Committee – without giving any indication that they were acting together. They continued with this stance until Thursday when they finally told the truth.
The cannot be the way forward for Singapore. We cannot have people acting like moral vigilantes running around and taking over established organisations. If Dr Thio and her mentees feel that AWARE has strayed from its original aims, or that some of the programmes are unsuitable, then go ahead and criticize AWARE, but do so openly.
Better still, form their own organization to offer parallel programmes with what they see as the right messages, and let the public choose which they prefer. Their motives and actions will then be visible to all. There will be transparency and accountability.
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Pictures from the press conference by Boris Chan:
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why is it that we dont see such brawls in women organizations in any other part of the world???
1) Singaporeans are highly territorial
2) Singaporeans are high dogmatic wanting to impose their views and opinions on others – both the old team and new team in AWARE are doing just that
3) Singaporeans are bored & have no life, and hence they invent their own problems
you have your chance for many years also acting like
moral vigilantes didn’t you?so now give
them a chance.and give them time to plan as well
Get them out in good time. Sounds reasonable right?
This is a very smart and wise statement given. Noticed that they stick with the main issues and events that took place, instead of following the new excos into religious & gay issues that will stir up undue emotions in others, thus blurring people’s view of the actual saga that took place.
The old exco were not pro-gay/lesbian. The former chair person stated clearly that they are against all forms of discrimination, including sexuality discrimination.
Is it a crime not to discriminate? Is it a crime not to use the word “homosexual” in the negative context? Apparently the Feminist Mentor thinks so.
Instead of staging a coup, perhaps the F.M. should just bring her team to work at the Young Women’s Christian Association and do good for the Christian women community in Singapore. Don’t blame a secular organization for not condemning your so called sin.
From the press statements issued – both “new” and “old” guards as some would call them… it is not difficult to see who is more receptive and embrace diversity in this MULTIRACIAL, MULTIRELIGIOUS and MULTICULTURAL country.
Look beyond the content and see how the statements are structured. Count the number of allegations and the ferocity of the allegations from both camps. Sense the validity and the evidence of these allegations and you’ll see who embrace diversity in this MULTIRACIAL, MULTIRELIGIOUS and MULTICULTURAL country.
Ape feels sorry that the old guards may lose at lot of the research document, the results of all hard the works that they have done over the years, that are locked-out from them in the HQ.
i support the old guard
Riddle:
Burglars breakthrough your house which outnumbered the occupants, then claimed that their core values are wrong, chased them out and changed the lock, then finally called themselves vigilantes.
Tip: a NGO
Cool. TOC has done the unthinkable. Moderation. Way to go! That will teach incite-haters a thing or two about spilling vulgarities on the internet.
http://wherebearsroamfree.blogspot.com/2009/04/i-told-you-so.html
The current saga unfolding before us is an indication that Singapore is not yet a mature society. Many among us are unable to graciously embrace pluralism and mutual respect for each other’s view. In my opinion, this is largely attributed to the lack of debates on many issues in the public sphere, resulting in our stunted intellectual growth. Make sense?
If the issue is not about about straying then what is all about? The writer said the new comm could have done this and that, criticised, admonished scolded to get them back on the track. The question is would the old women heed and listen ?
The way the old was going it seemed nothing would stop them. I think the “they could have done this and that” is rubbish and is good as saying you should have warned and guided us. If they needed that kind of guideance It shows that the women had lost the prowess and should have made way for new blood.
The press conference made the old look stupid and they are the ones who want to be the moral vigilantes. They claimed they are not discriminating and all inclusive, does that mean men too can join?Gays too can join. What about non gays? Now I can see a sinister scheme brewing and it will be very dangerous if all inclusiveness includes membership to decent family men and family . All hell will break loose. Can you see through the long term plan of non discrimination?
Dear People,
I think that this whole event is symptomatic of what is happening in the world today. A clash of values. Traditional organised religion vs secular humanism. Dogma vs Scientific rationalism. I guess the ongoing debate has just reached Singapore.
In America, people have been debating this furiously for a long time now. Roe vs Wade. Pro-life vs Pro-choice etc. And so on. Darwinian Evolution vs Creationism etc etc. And so on.
But of one thing I am certain and sure – the new exco should NOT have used stealth and deceit in order to hijack AWARE. These people should have formed their own alternative organisation. To hijack AWARE is morally wrong. You cannot impose your values and beliefs on others. At the very best – you can only offer your ideas as an alternative.
Anyways – for those who have lived in America – this is nothing new. Reminds me of the so-called Moral Majority in America. Neither Moral nor Majority !
Best Regards
Dr Syed Alwi
4) lich_king on April 24th, 2009 9.55 pm
Amen to that
I think it was a timely press conference…
Top marks for its professionalism , as least I see/hear some sanity in the approach ….
Dr Syed Alwi on April 24th, 2009 11.16 pm,
you had no head no tail and you dropped a judgmental statement by saying that new comm should not have used stealth and deceit. Stealth I agree but where is the deceit ? Did they cheat themselves into the comm? You, another moral vigilante? What is wrong with ‘hijacking’ if the ‘hijack’ was carried out legally, democratically and constitutionally.Were the old women tied up and dumped in the storeroom and denied the voting right?
Imposing their values? Where got? Did they say the new AWARE will be run along Christian values or principles or precepts? You are assuming and conjecturing. This is twisting and distorting facts. Please get your facts right and this is NOT America.
“What is really at stake is the space for a diversity of views in our cosmopolitan and pluralistic society. … We have to be able to co-exist, to live with differing views on many issues.”
This completely hit the nail on the head, and is measured and logical (unlike the babble from the mouths of the new Exco and its mentor). The issue is not whether we should ultimately accept or endorse GLBT rights (Parliament has most recently said “No” in 2007), but whether we should let a particular viewpoint be expressed in public debate even if we disagree with it. “Let [Truth] and Falsehood grapple: who ever knew Truth put to the worse in a free and open encounter?” (John Milton)
And if you think that exposure to such viewpoints would be detrimental to ‘the children’ (always the trump card), then (1) start your own alternative youth-oriented programmes; (2) petition MOE against supporting the GLBT-friendly programmes in school; (3) as parents, advise/order your children not to participate in these activities; (4) as Christians, advise/order your fellow church members not to participate in these activities. Silencing opposing views is not something you’d expect from your fellow citizens; the Government does the censorship thing well enough as it is.
i think everyone has different. and it is fair to have different idea.
if you feel that A society is not you idea, then do not join.
join B society.
join a society which match your idea.
but if there is no such society, then form a new society.
do not care about other people society.
To rfff,
No, the moderation is not forever.
Dear Peace,
It has become abundantly clear that the New Exco were encouraged to go forth and takeover AWARE in order to promote their own agenda of conservative religion. They LIED on national TV when they denied this. And finally – acting within the legal perimeter is not enough. One must also be transparent and accountable. There must be a sense of fair-play.
It would have been more ethical if the New Exco were to form their own organisation and offer an alternative platform.
Best Regards
Dr Syed Alwi
Can someone tell me which NGO’s spoke up for AWARE at this press conference? What about the SCWO? Anyone from there?
To Oh Tham Eng,
Shorten your comments, please. Else they will not be allowed.
And stop mentioning the “prophet”.
Thanks.
I just threw away my Hasbro Star Wars Imperial Stormtrooper action figure. I just can’t look at it and not think about Thio and co. Thanks Thio. You just soiled all over my childhood.
Peace,
Peace be with you brother. Hugs. (Now, everyone, together… huuuuuuuugs)
Just cancelled one of my DBS credit cards. In protest against Josie Lau. :)
Let us get this straight, civil society should not be turned into a platform for religiousity to take centre stage.
On the surface, it seems like the “self-proclaimed righteous group” is standing up to rid AWARE of its redundancies and moral decadence; the legacy of the Old Guard. This is not fair to the Old Guard and for all the work and contributions towards the advancement of women causes in Singapore.
I was so inspired by their work and dedication that I joined them as an associate member in July 2008.
Indeed, “Singapore is a multiracial, mulitreligious and multicultural society. As we progress, the diversity will grow. We have to be able to co-exist, to live with differing views on many issues.”
It already seems that the New Guard is unable/unwilling to co-exist with the Old Guard and it’s interesting that the various media are calling the election of the New Guard an “orchestrated coup”. There are just too many unanswered questions.
I am a Christian and my main thoughts and beliefs lie with the fundamentals tenets of my faith. I would like to point out that Christianity itself is also about being able to co-exist with people who do not share your views.
Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan communicates the necessity of treating people kindly and meeting their physical needs whenever possible, regardless of their social status, ethnic background, religious beliefs, etc. (Luke 10:25-37). Isn’t that exactly what AWARE has been doing over the years?
I think it is just ridiculous to say that the AWARE under the Old Guard is turning out to be a platform for the pro-lesbian/ homosexuality cause. AWARE in the first place was never a pro-gay/lesbian organisation.
We must bear in mind that it is also wrong of us to impose our beliefs and faith on others. This latest saga in AWARE and the attitude of the New Guard towards the Old Guard is giving Christianity a bad name.
I seriously hope that this saga will come to healthy and constructive conclusion. The New Guard and the Old Guard must work together to carry on with the good work built up over the years.
Let’s us not lose sight of the bigger picture; that of advancing the welfare of women in Singapore.
It is unfortunate for Christians what this cell group has done. They will no doubt find endorsement from Christians who share their same politics and might even go to church on Sunday to honour and lauding from their parish. But they may actually have lost much ground for the Church amongst other Singaporeans. Then again, the Church has never been about politics and pubic opinion, well, at least it seems until now.
Dr Thio, as a seasoned lawyer and educator, really ought to have known better.
Does she seriously believe that a non-discriminatory sex education curriculum (however odious from a conservative viewpoint) will lead to “a generation of lesbians”? An entire generation will be educated into lesbianism? Is heterosexuality that fragile?
Does she seriously believe that inviting a Finnish activist to give a talk means AWARE is pushing for state-sponsored artificial insemination? How about using Nokia handphones?
These statements, raised as justification for inciting the takeover of AWARE, are not only fallacious, but alarmist and selective of the facts.
For shame!
The Ministers for the Environment and Finance are very happy these days. The regular media as well as the not so regular ones have all their eyes and ears on AWARE. Wake up! Elections are coming. Women have died of food poisoning and no one has taken responsibility for the state of bad health in Geylang. Our economy continues to deteriorate. There are more important issues to debate on than squabbles amongst women.
We should be thankful to this AWARE incident for awakening us from our intellectual slumber.
The perceptive among us will realize that this is a microcosmic symptom of the age-old battle between authoritarianism and liberalism.
In the red corner, we find religious dogmatism, traditional conservatism and totalitarian absolutism. Their adherents purport to prescribe and impose their beliefs on others by whatever means they think fit. Dr Thio and her gang are in this camp.
In the blue corner, the advocates of Enlightenment values promote rationality, secularity, science, cultural amelioration, liberalism and democracy. Their practitioners have the confidence and courage to think for themselves and act accordingly.
Do we want to remain in a paralytic state of blind obedience and juvenile gullibility or do we want to embrace modernity as fully responsible individuals? The choice is really yours.
A clearly planned coup to drive the old guards out. Is called “hijacking”… legally?!?! Without deceit?
I stand by Dr Syed Alwi.
Peace, don’t forget that almost all the new EXCO have just joined AWARE less than 5 months ago. How much do they know about the work done there.
“Did they cheat themselves into the comm?” you asked. I’d say yes. They overwhelmed the AGM and voted the new EXCO who have hardly any experience or involvement in AWARE. Are they up to the job?
Within weeks, they dismissed all the sub-group heads without reason. Are they transparent?
They changed locks and placed guards. Who are they stopping?
Even on this day, the new EXCO have not stated their position or objective but instead throw allegations at the the old guards that they were pro-gay/lesbians. Create fear in the masses that AWARE’s school program will lead to one’s daughter wanting to be a lesbian. Has any schools lodge complaints?
Ape has no qualms if the new EXCO consists of members who have been around for a couple of years. Members who are in AWARE long enough to sense that AWARE has lost it’s direction as what the new EXCO and their “feminist mentor” allege. Members who have been long enough yet has little support except to “hijack” legally.
But only 5 months? Without clear position or objective?
“Feminist mentor” my foot!
An imposter if nothing else.
She needs her so-called feminist credentials grilled at the EOGM if she’s attending.
Sounds like PAP (see below)
Old Guard are PAP in Drag? Is this foretaste of what will happen when there is a ‘freak GE’?
:”The cannot be the way forward for Singapore. We cannot have people acting like moral vigilantes running around and taking over established organisations. If Dr Thio and her mentees feel that AWARE has strayed from its original aims, or that some of the programmes are unsuitable, then go ahead and criticize AWARE, but do so openly.”
Dr Thio is the only one in this hen fight that dares speak her mind. Credit to her though I find her views on “people like us” appalling.
The rest of her team and the other side are wafflers, still speaking in code.
The Press Conference did not help TOC ie the old committee)’s cause. They were moral vigitalntes for many years but obviously something went very wrong.
If this issue is not settled properly you will see lots of EGMs coming out. I suggest a mediator should help to settle this once and for all. The mediator can be a Minister who has interest in this subjecy or maybe Dr Thio and the other side counterpart can get together..have tea or coffee and talk things over. Not a bad idea right??
I am against loose terms like “moral vigilante”. What does that mean? A moral is an ethic or principle. A vigilante is someone who takes the law into his own hands. Each individual has the freedom to decide what personal principles he will live by. In this aspect each one of us are a “moral vigilante”.
We can recognize that discrimination should be avoided by:
a) looking at the make up of Singapore: we are multi-religio-cultural society and “no discrimination” is a principle of major religions incl Christianity.
b) Singapore’s history: e.g. race riots,
c) government decisions: e.g. mixing of ethnic groups in housing estates.
Who decides moral “law”? Is it the general consensus of our society? Is it organized religion? Is it the government? All 3 play a part in forming society.
What about homosexuality? We should not discriminate but should also recognize that Singapore’s general consensus is unlikely to be pro-homosexuality. We are pro-family and pro-same sex marriages. There is nothing wrong with supporting what is the traditional (and likely dominant) position of society. This does not make us anti-homosexual. We can still be tolerant of one another’s personal choices.
Whether AWARE adopts a traditional approach, or a modern inclusive approach is up to her and her members. I think the issue is smaller than the hurt that has transpired. Hopefully one side will back down soon… and both sides can say “Sorry”. ;)
Move on AWARE!
The new committe have many other other issues to champion such as
1. Equal rights
2. More woman in politics ,in Parliament, cabinet etc
3. More woman as CEOs if corporate
4. Assistance to woman during this difficult times(i mean recession)
5. Assistance to housewifes, keep family together
6. Education and skill training for woman(including IT training eg blogging,facebook, how to use computer for houswives etc),sponsor research at NUS on woman’s matters
7. International cooperation of woman
8. Visits to Homes
9. Tackle Ageing problems
10, Many more
Leave the gays alone they can form their own AGARE (Association of Gays for action, research and education). Dont worry about the Christians in the new AWARE, they will not DARE to take AWARE in that direction. What do you think of my ideas??
@ 32) A Tan on April 25th, 2009 6.11 am
“dares speak her mind”??
she is the queen of the cyborgs!
@ 34) yipeng on April 25th, 2009 8.23 am
[---deleted by TOC moderator---] [tj, pls do not post quotes from the Bible. Thanks.]
for the record, i am not anti-christian. in fact, i believe the majority of christians (as well as members of other religions) are moderates who’d just like to live together in peace. but i’d just like to set the records straight that at some point in history, this was not always the case. apart from genocides, there are also passages condoning slavery and discrimination against women in the bible.
I hope someday everyone will be included and there’ll be peace.
Is the Old Guard truly all-inclusive? Did the old committee include presence of Chinese-speaking and Malay-speaking women? Handicapped women? New-migrants?
Why is anti-homosexuality being portrayed solely as a Christian idea? If I’m not mistaken, none of the Chinese beliefs, Islam or other major religious or civlisation has ever promoted homosexuality. i.e. covering majority of Singaporeans, particularly many of the “voiceless” non-English speakers.
What would be the response of the Lianhe Zaobao and Berita Harian readers towards the gay-tolerance agenda?
Ah Lian, allow me to ask you in return. Who are in the new EXCO? Did they have any Malays, Indians? or Muslim, Hindus?
And you ask, why is homosexuality portrayed as a Christian idea? My honest reply to you is that some Christians created such impression by repeatedly quoting from their religious teachings that homosexuality is a sin.
I’ve asked Muslim friends what’s their views during the repeal section 377A. Their answer was simple. Homosexuality is a no no in their religion but they don’t have to go around telling everyone.
I’ve asked my Chinese friends (who include free thinkers/Christians/Buddhist/Taoist), what is their take on homosexuality, most of them gave me that “what they do in their personal space is their own problem as long as they leave my a** alone”. Then why don’t they sign the online petition to repeal/retain S377A? They don’t see the need to bring such issues into the public platform. Those of my Chinese friends who share a different views are homosexuals.
Does the above answer your question on “Why is anti-homosexuality being portrayed solely as a Christian idea?”
One more thing to add…”not promoting homosexuality” does not mean that they have to be vocal and penetrate into other people’s beliefs. Also, acknowledging homosexuality is also not the same as promoting homosexuality.
Hi Ah Lian,
Your argument sounds very much like the typical “our christian fundie values are actually very asian and very Singapore and represent the views of the majority here”. Frankly how well do you know all the other religions. If not, don’t assume you can speak for them. Also I don’t see adherents of other relgions so agressive in ensuring that their “majority” values are imposed on everyone here in Singapore. Only the christian fundies.
Hi Ah Lian,
Its funny how the old Aware is being accused of being too diversified, yet now you are asking whether they “include presence of Chinese-speaking and Malay-speaking women? Handicapped women? New-migrants?”. Make up your mind you fundies.
In fact I dare say that the old Aware is all inclusive and does not discriminate against anyone or any group. If it is women’s business, it’s Aware’s business.
But instead of attacking the old Aware, maybe you can tell us how does new Aware represents all women?
Yes Ape, and i’m quite dismayed when some people try to justify their own prejudice by speaking on behalf of “other” religions without doing more in-depth research first. They make sweeping statements such as “it’s not just my religion, everyone else’s religion also said so” and therefore it MUST be so.
And worse, some people try to use “my old grandfather and grandmother are also against gays” as authoritative sources of Buddhist wisdom.
Whatever little i understand of Buddhist teachings, for instance, it is quite clear that any form of discrimination/prejudice against other sentient beings is nothing but a manifestation of an unenlightened mind which is unable to transcend the illusion of duality in worldly phenomena.
Homosexuality has not been a public issue in Singapore until the recent few years even though it must have existed back in the 1990s and before.
Obviously, the gay activist have not been keeping merely to their personal space since then. They have certainly been vocal and trying to penetrate into other people’s beliefs in the public space. Hence others feel necessary to respond. People of the minority religion have learnt enough not to express their values because they have been bashed so many times by secular extremist and racist elements.
If it is true that AWARE has been “educating” our kids that homosexuality is a neutral term, why does it not talk to them about polygamism, since it fundamental relates to sexuality and free choice also?
Free choice is good, but only if we know the consequences of our choices. Does AWARE include that in their educational content about?
all this media frency would not have happened if the new Exco formed their own group & be that alternative voice to champion their own set of agenda, they claim is pro-women.
the way they handled the situation unfolding shows that they are not in any position to lead Aware. their PR skills fail. lol…
the new Exco should just step down, their victory is empty, & they only have themselves to blame.
to “42) Ah Lian on April 25th, 2009 2.43 pm ”
Firstly, how is the secular state ‘racist’? Racism seems utterly non-sequitur in this entire discussion, stop digressing and throwing in hate-inciting words.
“If it is true that AWARE has been “educating” our kids that homosexuality is a neutral term, why does it not talk to them about polygamism, since it fundamental relates to sexuality and free choice also?”
Polygamism is illegal. And other than the Muslim court of law, nobody else quibbles with that. False analogy.
Is the Old Guard truly all-inclusive? Did the old committee include presence of Chinese-speaking and Malay-speaking women? Handicapped women? New-migrants?
There is not even a single non-christian, non-chinese in the New Guard. Any explanation?
#40 Ape,
“And you ask, why is homosexuality portrayed as a Christian idea? My honest reply to you is that some Christians created such impression by repeatedly quoting from their religious teachings that homosexuality is a sin.
I’ve asked Muslim friends what’s their views during the repeal section 377A. Their answer was simple. Homosexuality is a no no in their religion but they don’t have to go around telling everyone.
I’ve asked my Chinese friends (who include free thinkers/Christians/Buddhist/Taoist), what is their take on homosexuality, most of them gave me that “what they do in their personal space is their own problem as long as they leave my a** alone”. Then why don’t they sign the online petition to repeal/retain S377A? They don’t see the need to bring such issues into the public platform.”
Surprised APE is aping the ostrictchs burying their heads in the sand, in the heap of rubbish. This thing won’t go away. Wait till you have them in your living room.
@ 37) tj on April 25th, 2009 9.21 am
Remember that Slavery still existed in America less than 200 years ago. It was simply a different world and different perspective my friend. The writings of bible authors actually speaks of the proper and fair treatment of slaves, probably a positive influence to slave owners for more than 1600 years. This principle continues to apply to how we treat our employees and maids.
Likewise feminismin began from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Bible also speaks out against discrimination.The question we want to be asking is “Did woman living in that era feel ill-treated and by who?”
Lastly, why bring the Crusades up? It has nothing to do with the current identity of the Christian church. If you have been offended by historical Christianity I can but apologize.
Cheers!
gays vs straight… who will win?
if the old guard continue to reign, will we have gay marriages eventually? say 5 or 10 years down the road when Singapore plays catch up to other western countries? with the new team, at least i know being straight will still be the norm of society…
/shudder
aiyo end of the day many ppl have vested interests la… who are the ones to lose out the most if the new team remains? even a 3 year old will tell u its the gays la tio bo???
oh by the way, i saw a man wearing a t-shirt stating “if you can take the shit, i can take the pain”… it took me a while to realise its implying anal sex. i dare not imagine the direction the society is going….