I’m all too familiar with unproductive bickering. That’s why I always tell people that I’m proudly not a member of the Singapore Dental Association. But things got a lot more serious than minor, unproductive bickering at AWARE a couple of months ago when a group of “like-minded” women swept the old guard away and formed a new “single-minded” exco. How can this happen? Simple. It’s Sun Zi’s tactic of attacking where it’s most vulnerable.
Until a couple of years ago, I was a member of another club whose history dates back to the early 60s. In its early years, the club grew from strength to strength, at times getting itself involved in high profile national events. Then, activities and membership began to decline. Volunteers were more and more difficult to come by as the younger members got busier and busier with hectic work schedules. As activities slowed down, membership declined. Fewer and fewer turned up for the AGMs. Nobody contested for exco positions. The “new” exco were usually formed by a few reluctant members who were “sabotaged” by their friends and completed by remnants of the old guard who have “signed on”.
You don’t need to read Sun Zi to hijack an exco like this one. Just recruit “like-minded” members from another organisation, storm the AGM and help them make quorum for the first time in many years. The reluctant “sabotaged” members and “signed on” folks stand no chance against this invading army. Once in office, these people can push their common agenda which may be in conflict with the quiet folks who have been sitting on the fence, minding their own business all this while.
This nightmarish scenario came true for AWARE not too long ago. When people take the status quo for granted and can’t be bothered to attend AGMs, things like this are just waiting to happen. Of course, it has to be a club or society dealing with stakes which are high enough. Nobody would bother to hijack the exco of a photographic society.
Even if this new exco has hardly begun work yet, it’s not difficult to see its “single-mindedness” and this is cause for concern. And this “single-mindedness” is further confirmed by calls for support for it coming from the pulpit! The good pastor was trying to influence the leadership and Christian dominance in a supposedly secular organisation. CCTVs were already installed at the premises. Old staff were sacked, locks were changed and subcommittees were dissolved. As if you think that things have gone far enough, the new crusading exco has chosen a venue for the EGM to be next to a major Christian gathering.
What is their game? It doesn’t take a genius to figure it out.
Over the couple of months since the beginning of the saga, AWARE’s membership swelled from a miserable 300 to nearly 2000 (and more than 3000 at last count). Should we be concerned that this increase may come from the church? Of course we should. Some people may start to think (if they have not already started long ago) that everyone regardless of race, language and religion, must adopt their values.
The EGM came and went. Shouting matches, members told to shut up and sit down, accusations of defamation, threats to sue. It’s with much relief that an overwhelming majority cast a vote of no confidence for the crusading exco. They bowed out and a new exco was elected there and then. I wasn’t there, but I can imagine the kind of excitement which must have prevailed that evening when new, dormant and reactivated members who’ve suddenly became “aware” decided to steer their ship away from the crusading exco’s “divine” destination.
It must have been a sweet victory for those who have cared about the organisation all these years. They may be despised by the crusading exco and their comrades at the church, but what’s important is that they have the support of the FHM Girls Next Door (GND).
Jasmine Li (GND 1): I feel that the people who stood by the exco did not want to “say the wrong thing” or should I say, “not wanting to show the obvious”, during the AGM. However, the more they tried to be unbiased, the more they revealed that they actually were very much against people raising issues on lesbians and homosexuals. I wouldn’t agree that talking about homosexual and lesbian issues using the media as a medium will result in any bad influence or such on the general public. I support anyone who desires to speak freely of any topic, as Aware is there to keep everyone aware of things happening around them and not hide from certain truths.
Willynn Ng (GND 2): If you are referring to the “homosexuality is a neutral word” — I believe it’s something really out of the box.
Kris Teng (GND 3): (It’s) nonsense. There are lots of other things to worry about; for example, swine flu, current economic climate, retrenchment, or the modern-monk-who-does-dangerous-stunts-to-raise-funds-for-poor-yet-allows-his-‘PA’-to-splurge-tens of thousands-on-branded-goods-with-his-supplementary-card case.
May Wu (GND 5): I’ve always felt that there was a need for such an association. It is horrible that the new executive committee members have received threats and we should not allow such behaviour in our civilised society. I think that Aware has lost its focus of protectingand looking after women. The high-handed behaviour of the new exco members demonstrates they lack respect, openness and acceptance of diversity.
Celestina Tiew (GND 7): I think that since the new people are all from the same church, clearly they know each other and disagree with what the Old Guard is doing. So, if they have such a strong view of themselves which differed from the old Aware Exco, they can just start an association of their own to pursue their own goals.
Summer Lee (GND 8): I personally think that times are different now as everyone is more Westernised. There is no right or wrong here. Let’s just say we shall not despise nor promote it. Ultimately, it’s still a taboo to Singaporeans.
Paula Braberry (GND 10): I think it’s a basic human right who you want to be and whatever opinion people have on others, are just that; opinions. Also, I think that there is nothing “sneaky” about the elections because lesbians and homosexuals are, after all, still human. They should be treated with dignity and the respect that everyone has; nothing less.
Jessebella Tan (GND 9): Despite my personal stand on advocating the rights of all people, I think the divergence of agenda is still too soon for the likes of Singapore, as indicated by the takeover. Let the underground movement run its course. Apart from which, Aware members are paying 20 bucks to advocate women’s rights. Marginal misinterpretation with the opportunity cost of a new pair of shoes is SO not cool.
Seriously, folks, what lessons did we learn from this saga? The folks at the helm may not admit it, but this saga clearly shows that passionate debate and opposition give rise to political involvement and vice versa. If you want people to feel and care about the country, you have to empower them challenge and reverse policies which they don’t believe it. Without this power, we’ll have to make do with 4,608,167 dormant “citizens”.
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