Home » Posts tagged with "aware"
Posts tagged with "aware"
When is a Family Not a Family?
Dec. 5 | Gwee Li Sui On days when my mind strays into abstraction, I find myself baffled by terms such as “pro-life”, “pro-choice”, and “pro-family”. We all know what these mean, but, as words that purport to describe positions, they are not very...
The Church (not the Bible) discriminates against gays, says pastor
Nov. 13 | Note: Hi everyone. Please note that we have a “Random Posts” section. It highlights earlier articles which were published on TOC and which you may have missed. “Random Posts” is located at the bottom, after our Facebook Fans box....
Look out for people “who are pushing too far”
Jun. 4 | We must look out for indications, of people who are pushing too far, who test the limits. All stakeholders – parents, schools and individuals – have to remind themselves and one another of the need for a secular space. Second Minister for...
Aware coverage – Straits Times defends itself
May. 30 | If Mr Sin is accusing The Straits Times of being in favour of some religions against others – a very serious accusation against a newspaper with 1.4million readers of every religious shade – he should substantiate his complaint. The personal...
“It was an internal document,” says Education Minister, on Aware’s instructor’s guide
May. 22 | It was an internal document…internal documents are internal documents. If you don’t show them to MOE, we will not know about them. Education Minister Ng Eng Hen, when asked if his ministry was caught by surprise by the content of the instructor’s...
Siew Kum Hong makes police report against “vile, vicious and malicious” attacks
May. 18 | From Siew Kum Hong’s blog: The attacks have continued since my last posting on this blog. In particular, the latest attacks have alleged and/or insinuated that (a) I asked for and am receiving foreign funding from a Swedish politician, who allegedly...
TOC Editorial: Keep Kum Hong
May. 17 | Choo Zheng Xi / Editor-in-Chief Mr Siew Kum Hong’s detractors have recently begun lobbying the government to deny him a second term as a nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) on the basis that he has stood up to oppose discrimination against homosexuals. These...
Facebook Group Supports Siew Kum Hong as NMP
May. 16 | Darren Boon A Facebook group, ‘We Support Siew Kum Hong’, has been set up to support Mr Siew Kum Hong’s bid for a second term as a Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP). In a strong show of support for Mr Siew, the group, which was set up only yesterday,...
Aware saga: Calm down and move on, says DPM Wong Kan Seng
May. 15 | Breaking News: Malaysia confirms its first H1N1 flu case, says top health official Ismail Merican. Announcement: Stay tuned for TOC’s very special feature on Monday, 18 May. You shouldn’t miss it. The following is Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs...
No change on homosexual position – Wong
May. 14 | The government was not going to be pressured into changing its position on homosexuality before the takeover of AWARE. Nor does the government intend to change its position now that the Old Guard has recaptured AWARE. DPM Wong Kan Seng
Will Siew Kum Hong get another term?
May. 14 | Breaking News: Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is to face trial for breaching the conditions of her detention under house arrest, her lawyer has said… (BBC News) Excerpt from Alex Au’s website, Yawning Bread: Over the last few...
Letters of praise and criticism – and one to two ministers about TOC
May. 11 | The following are letters or emails to The Online Citizen during the course the past month or so. Sock puppeting Dear Sir, Madam. I would like to inquire what’s the stand for TOC with regards to sock puppeting? I mean I understand the moderation is...
KRC – Upfront: with Dr. Gwee Li Sui
May. 11 | Dr Gwee came into prominence at the height of the AWARE saga when his written notes on the topic were widely publicized. In his writings, he provided from the Christian perspective an opposition voice to the religious-motivated infiltration of AWARE by...
A Christian woman’s take on the Aware saga
May. 8 | Scholar at Large / United States Pictures by Damien Chng & Kenneth Tham The AWARE fracas has finally come to a close with the return of the Old Guards on 2 May 2009. Many would agree it was heartening to witness so many concerned Singaporeans actively...
The suspension of reason
May. 8 | Half-truths and innuendos have sunk a worthy programme In a move that was half-anticipated, the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced in a terse statement on 6th May 2009 that it was suspending the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) programme conducted...
Catherine Lim’s letter to parents on CSE programme
May. 6 | From Catherine Lim’s website. I had given my views, mainly as a non-partisan, liberal Singaporean during the recent Aware controversy. Some parents had written or called to voice their concern about one issue that had stood out – the use in schools...
MOE Statement on Sexuality Education Programme (Updated: Aware’s response)
May. 6 | The following is from Aware president, Dana Lam, to members on the MOE’s suspension of the CSE programme (see below). It was sent on 7 May 2009: Dear Members You may have already read or heard the news about the Education Ministry’s decision...
Comprehensive sex education programme suspended
May. 6 | In view of the contents of the manual, Aware’s programmes will be suspended in schools and subject to the new vetting processes. Ministry of Education
Siew Kum Hong’s personal take on Aware EGM
May. 6 | From Siew Kum Hong’s blog: First and foremost, I walked away from the EGM proud to be Singaporean. I saw the result as an affirmation of the values that we hold dear (openness, transparency, inclusiveness, diversity and secularism) and a rejection of...
The government’s strategic intervention in the Aware saga
May. 6 | PN Balji / Picture by Damien Chng In a different time and under a different political leadership, the acrimonious public tussle for the leadership of Aware would have seen the knocking of some heads and the twisting of some arms. Thank God that did not...
AWARE: Lessons from a fiasco
May. 4 | Invitation: For TOC reporters’ personal account of their experience in covering the Aware EOGM, please visit TOC Facebook Group. By Cherian George Pictures by Damien Chng and Kenneth Tham The battle for control of Aware can be a learning experience...
New Aware president Dana Lam’s first message to members
May. 4 | Dear Members This is my first day in office. I just want to quickly convey my gratitude for your forbearance in the past weeks and for your tremendous support at last Saturday’s EGM. Your statements, your actions of support have changed the face of...
Letter to TOC: Aware – readers’ views
May. 4 | The AWARE saga certainly deserves some commentary since it is a turning point in Singapore’s civil society. As much as I feel that there is (finally) some slow emergence of civil society in our (un)democratic country through this, the fiasco is, arguably,...
All about Aware
May. 4 | To facilitate easier access to all the reports, commentaries, pictures and videos in the Aware saga, we have consolidated all our content on Aware in this thread. For all the videos on the saga, please visit TOC’s YouTube page here. For background...
TOC’s Exclusive Videos – Aware Extraordinary General Meeting
May. 3 | Here are two videos from the TOC Media Team. They were shot at Suntec City – before, during and after the EGM on Saturday. It includes interviews with the participants. It was filmed by Mervin Lee and the video is hosted by Deborah Choo.
Chaos – “Shut up and sit down” (video)
May. 3 | The agitated crowd By Terence Lee and Choo Zheng Xi / Pictures by Kenneth Tan and Damien Chng “SHUT up and sit down!” That was ex-Honorary Treasurer Sally Ang’s (picture left, in red) retort to the heckling and disruptions of Ms...
Aware members demand: “Account for our money!”
May. 3 | By Choo Zheng Xi and Khairulanwar THE drama didn’t let up while votes were being tallied by external auditors Deloitte and Touche. From 4.30 pm till the final count at 7.30pm, member after member continued to castigate the new committee on a range of...
Voted out but still willing to contribute
May. 3 | Josie Lau and her colleagues facing the wrath of the audience By Terence Lee DESPITE the controversy that has erupted, Ms Josie Lau and her team would still contribute their expertise to AWARE if asked. Speaking at a press conference after their resignation...
Aware EOGM – Damien Chng’s photos
May. 3 | The following photos are shot by TOC photographer, Damien Chng.
TOC Exclusive video coverage of Aware EOGM – Part One
May. 3 | Videos by Boris Chan The voting results: Josie Lau and exco accept results and resign Interview with Constance Singam
The TOC team behind the coverage of Aware Eogm
May. 3 | The editors of The Online Citizen – Choo Zheng Xi, Andrew Loh and Terence Lee – would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the volunteers and members who helped cover the AWARE EOGM at Suntec City, 2 May, Saturday. It was a challenging and tiring...
More than a thousand turn up for Aware EOGM
May. 2 | Announcement: TOC’s videos of the event at Suntec City will be up on TOC soon. It includes an interview with Constance Singam. Stay tuned! BREAKING NEWS: The Old Guards of Aware have managed to gain majority support for their vote of no confidence...
Pastor Derek Hong apologises for misusing pulpit
May. 2 | He regrets backing new exco in his sermon SENIOR pastor of the Church Of Our Saviour Derek Hong has issued a public apology for using the pulpit to give backing to the Association of Women for Action and Research’s (Aware) executive committee in their...
NCCS’ stand on Aware a “responsible” one, says DPM Wong
May. 2 | Report from Channel NewsAsia: SINGAPORE: Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng has welcomed the position taken by the National Council of Churches of Singapore, on the recent saga involving women’s group, AWARE. On Thursday, the umbrella Christian...
Aware’s sex education programme – the concerns
May. 1 | In a pdf file which is available on its website, Aware (under the new executive committee) lists its concerns about the Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) programme which is taught in schools. We invite readers to share their views. Below are three extracts...
TOC Perspectives: Views on AWARE
May. 1 | Announcement: The Online Citizen will bring you “live” updates from Suntec City tomorrow of the AWARE Extraordinary General Meeting. “Live” updates will begin from 12 noon. Stay tuned to TOC! We reproduce Two Facebook notes sent to us by NUS...
Church of Our Saviour clarifies “allegations”
Apr. 30 | Statement from Church of Our Saviour on the Aware saga. It is reproduced here in its entirety. As the media reported on the AWARE saga, it brought up the fact that several of the new exco are members of Church of Our Saviour. This has created the perception...
Police steps in to stop Aware from holding EOGM at Expo
Apr. 30 | From the Straits Times. THE police have stepped in to stop the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) from holding its extraordinary general meeting at the Singapore Expo in Changi on Saturday. The police have taken this step because of...
“Aware belongs to you,” says Josie Lau
Apr. 28 | The following is Aware’s president Josie Lau’s latest email message to members, 28 April 2009 Dear Valued Members Since my election as President on 14th April 2009, I have received intense media attention. A group of AWARE members has gone...
MOE replies to questions about AWARE’s CSE programme
Apr. 28 | From the Ministry of Education’s website: Reply to Recent Comments and Claims About AWARE’s Sexuality Education Programme in Schools We refer to recent claims and comments about AWARE’s sexuality education programme in schools. Sexuality education...
‘Opposition’ versus ‘ruling’ party on 2nd May and a simulation for the next General Elections
Apr. 28 | From The Kent Ridge Common SINGAPORE - The momentum is gradually gathering prior to the AWARE EOGM showdown on 2nd May. Although the clouds of uncertainty still hang over the horizon, there is always the silver lining that we can take comfort in –...
BREAKING NEWS: Staff sent out email asking members to vote at Aware EOGM
Apr. 27 | Breaking News: Ng Teck Siong, chairman of the Reform Party, has resigned from the party. Speaking to TOC, Mr Ng said he has “resigned completely” from the party. He confirmed he is not even an ordinary member of the Reform Party But church denies...
Bloggers’ maturity demonstrated in Aware saga
Apr. 26 | Excerpts from from Alex Au’s blog, Yawning Bread: Now, about maturity in the blogosphere. Although the issue revolved around a militant Christian group seizing power over a secular organisation, the vast bulk of commentary have remained intelligent...
Care about AWARE: Leaders we respect
Apr. 25 | Letter to TOC Stephanie Chok Leaders with integrity, who are service-oriented and fair-minded, are important pillars in any community. They inspire and mobilize efforts towards social change and, through their actions, act as positive role models. I want...
Constance Singam: “That trust is gone.”
Apr. 25 | Constance Singam tearing as she speaks about what AWARE means to her. “Really what was so wonderful about AWARE, is that 25 years have been 25 years of friendship, support and empowerment. I grew in AWARE, and I know what it is to be an AWARE member....
AWARE saga not a national dispute, says Lim Hwee Hua
Apr. 25 | This is not a national dispute and should not upset the balance and tenor of our open, tolerant and secular society. Neither should Aware members allow these disagreements to become a vehicle for views on contentious, divisive issues to be pushed aggressively....
AWARE veterans set the record straight
Apr. 25 | Aware’s press conference. For videos of the rest of the event, please click here. Darren Boon Turning up in full force (which include several founding members) to set right the inaccuracies lay out by the new AWARE team. In a press conference...
“We cannot have people acting like moral vigilantes..” says AWARE’s old guards
Apr. 24 | 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...
TOC Breaking News: Old Aware exco holds press conference, calls new Aware “moral vigilantes”
Apr. 24 | Andrew Loh Live from press conference: The old Aware exco is presently holding a press conference at Bishan Junction 8. (18.00 hrs) Press statement: Old Aware calls new exco “moral vigilantes”. On homosexuality – Aware cannot be an ostrich and...
