The new leadership has generated so much controversy and left many Singaporeans bewildered. I wonder if Josie Lau and her group have anticipated this. Such a baptism of fire probably had not crossed their mind when they planned and mounted this successful ‘coup’. As more news permeated through the media, many Singaporean are still groping for the ‘truth’.
As I see it, if the reason for the takeover is motivated by homosexuality and lesbianism issues, then the effort by this group of well meaning and good intention Christians from the same church have deployed the firepower far disproportionate with its objective. Apart from this sexual issue, no manifestos or visions have yet to surface. The only press conference held too was only about this issue and the intention to put AWARE on the morally right course. To me, an ordinary resolution from members for an EGM to address this issue would have suffice and meet this objective. Why take the effort to mount a takeover even with objection from DBS, employer of Josie Lau.
So, the sincerity of Josie and her group will always be questioned. Although they are elected through legitimate means, but why are 6 members of ecxo from the same church and some has just join recently? Why do they have the same feminist mentor? Was there a manifesto when they stood for election? Why did they hold a press conference without informing the other exco members? Has this exco become inclusive and secretive? All these actions will surely invite the public to be cynical and suspicious of its motive. It will surely breed negative public perception. I like to reiterate that I have nothing against Christians or any religious groups that are out to serve the society for a good purpose. It must exercise wisdom, act with sensitivity and not to bring controversy to its own belief and faith.
Even the Pastor from the Church where 6 members of the Exco hailed from has distanced himself from this leadership saga and categorically stated that he is not involved. Today, head of the NCCS, umbrella Christian body has come out to emphasise that churches should stay out of AWARE internal disputes. Reading in between the lines, I believe the Churches are concerned over religion being dragged into a secular social organisation like AWARE. It does the Church no favour and I see this wise move by the church to contain the damage and fallout. A government minister also said that ‘religion should have no place in petty politics’. Simply it is a dispute that has really gone overboard.
The EGM will be held tomorrow and it is expected to be very heated with plenty of fireworks. Both sides have canvassed for new members and the turnout is expected to be overwhelming. The no-confidence motion against the new team will be tabled by the old guards. I do not expect to see any dispute over the voting process. They sad news is at the end of the voting, one team will have to bow out. And I hope the winner will be magnanimous and the loser gracious. In my opinion, whatever happens, AWARE has been wrecked! It will be more severe if the new team survives this no-confidence motion. Let me predict the probable chain of events.
In order for Josie Lau and company to win, it needs the support of the newly registered members. The press has reported that there is a large surge of memberships lately, a sign of aggressive campaigning and canvassing. As far as the general memberships are concerned, the disputed sexuality issues exposed by the new exco are not contentious and urgent enough to persuade ordinary members to take sides. It can be safely speculated that the bulk of these supporters will be drawn from Christian groups. So if Josie’s camp comes out victorious, they will be mass resignations from the opposing camp. AWARE will inadvertently be saddles with a Christian majority in a secular organisation. That will herald a new era for AWARE.
When this happens, new ideas and visions will be brought into AWARE. Nobody can speculate the future effectiveness or relevance of AWARE. It may end up a stronger and better organisation that can do more for society. Or in the worst case, it may push AWARE into oblivion. Another negative impact is that it will be view as a Christian organisation like YWCA or Salvation Army or ‘homes’ or ‘half way houses’ run by the churches. In a multi-racial country like Singapore, AWARE may lose the broad base support it once had and its ability to serve across the spectrum of religious groups. Surely no religious organisation would like to be seen to ‘colonise’ an established organisation. Definitely this is contrary to any teaching on humanity.
There is a very strong possibility that the old camp may start a similar group with the older members. It had the experiences and the administrative skill and infrastructures to do so. With it 25 years of experience, it can fall back on many sponsors to back them financially. Maybe when that do happens, it may be the silver lining. It will arouse greater awareness of women issues and the biggest winners may be the underprivileged and abused women.
Let see what happen after tomorrow.
-----------------------------------------Living to see the World---------------------------------------
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