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Aware Ambushed & they had no clue
- Thread starter scroobal
- Start date
TOC Report: 150 call for vote of no confidence
Wednesday, 15 April 2009, 10:08 am | 556 views
Choo Zheng Xi
New AWARE Executive Committee remain conspicuously silent
No confidence. That is the message which 150 members of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) want to send to the Society’s new Executive Committee, which was voted in under mysterious circumstances during AWARE’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) of 28 March.
The 150 members yesterday requested that the current Executive Committee hold an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting (EOGM) within 14 days of the request.
The media release sent out by the EOGM petitioners cite the “unusual nature of the AGM…when a large number of new members turned up and appeared to vote for several office bearers, all of whom are also new members”.
9 out of 12 of AWARE’s new Executive Committee are completely new faces who joined the organization between January and March this year, and were voted in by large majorities of similarly new members at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Questions on whether the new committee shares AWARE’s values
To date, the new Executive Committee has maintained a wall of silence, declining all media requests on their direction for one of Singapore’s most successful civil society organizations.
The EOGM is in part an attempt to get the new Executive Committee to break their silence on their plans for AWARE.
Ms Corinna Lim, an EOGM petitioner and AWARE member for over 16 years, told TOC that they wanted to “get them (the new Executive Committee) to the table to tell us what their direction is, what their plans are, for AWARE.”
Part of the discomfort with the new Executive Committee seems to be whether the new members share the value system of the organization, which Ms Lim describes as “gender equity, diversity, and respect for the individual.”
While refusing to give media interviews, some of the new committee and their supporters are known to have publicly expressed strongly anti-homosexual sentiments.
Newly elected Secretary Ms Jenice Chua Chor Ping had previously written to The Straits Times criticizing NMP Siew Kum Hong’s attempt to repeal Section 377A, claiming that “Mr Siew has overstepped the boundary as an NMP when he chose to represent the homosexual interest group.” She also wrote a letter equating homosexuality to a mental illness, arguing for its continued criminalization on the grounds that “just as a person with kleptomania is not excused by law when caught in the act of stealing, the law does not excuse people caught in homosexual offences.”
One of the new supporters of the new Executive Committee, Ms Angela Thiang, had previously written a letter to The Straits Times Forum arguing that recognizing homosexuals as a sexual minority could potentially “lead to banning religious texts like the Quran and Bible as ‘hate literature’ for ‘incit(ing) hatred against sexual minorities.”
Among feminists, concern was voiced about the implications a Christian fundamentalist AWARE Executive Committee would have on feminism. Jolene, Editor of feminist webzine Glass Castle, worries that an overtly Christian fundamentalist AWARE Executive Committee might be regressive to women’s rights. In an editorial, she wrote:
“It is probable the new AWARE will use the perception of AWARE as an organization that speaks for women’s interests, so as to lobby for programmes that are directly contrary to women’s interests. They could well support substantial restrictions on abortion rights”.
Ms Angela Thiang had previously written a letter to The Straits Times pushing for a review of laws permitting abortion.
Former president of AWARE and Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP), Ms Breama Mathi, told TOC she was uncomfortable with the opacity of the new committee’s values.
“I would like them to show cause about what they’re trying to do in relationship with AWARE’s value system. I know they are all highly qualified on paper, and these qualifications are highly valuable to any organization, but this is a 24 year old organization with an established value system. So I’d be more comfortable if they gave some clarity on what they believed in”.
What next?
AWARE’s constitution states that the threshold for calling an EOGM is 10% of AWARE’s membership. The society has around 500 members, so the current petition group of 150 members is sufficient to trigger one.
Ms Lim says that while part of the purpose of the EOGM is to get the new committee to explain its values, she added that “if it is not satisfactory to the EOGM, we will go ahead with the vote of no confidence.”
The AWARE constitution is silent on the time required for an EOGM to be called after the petitioners request one, requiring only that it be called within a reasonable time period.
The petitioners have asked that one be called within the next 14 days, after which another 14 days will be given for members to be notified.
Would legal action against the current Executive Committee be an option if they fail to comply? While hesitant to cite it as a course of action, Ms Lim did not rule it out.
“Legal action is not something we want to think about, we don’t want to destroy AWARE. It’s not something we want, and we’ll only use it as a last resort.”
Wednesday, 15 April 2009, 10:08 am | 556 views
Choo Zheng Xi
New AWARE Executive Committee remain conspicuously silent
No confidence. That is the message which 150 members of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) want to send to the Society’s new Executive Committee, which was voted in under mysterious circumstances during AWARE’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) of 28 March.
The 150 members yesterday requested that the current Executive Committee hold an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting (EOGM) within 14 days of the request.
The media release sent out by the EOGM petitioners cite the “unusual nature of the AGM…when a large number of new members turned up and appeared to vote for several office bearers, all of whom are also new members”.
9 out of 12 of AWARE’s new Executive Committee are completely new faces who joined the organization between January and March this year, and were voted in by large majorities of similarly new members at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Questions on whether the new committee shares AWARE’s values
To date, the new Executive Committee has maintained a wall of silence, declining all media requests on their direction for one of Singapore’s most successful civil society organizations.
The EOGM is in part an attempt to get the new Executive Committee to break their silence on their plans for AWARE.
Ms Corinna Lim, an EOGM petitioner and AWARE member for over 16 years, told TOC that they wanted to “get them (the new Executive Committee) to the table to tell us what their direction is, what their plans are, for AWARE.”
Part of the discomfort with the new Executive Committee seems to be whether the new members share the value system of the organization, which Ms Lim describes as “gender equity, diversity, and respect for the individual.”
While refusing to give media interviews, some of the new committee and their supporters are known to have publicly expressed strongly anti-homosexual sentiments.
Newly elected Secretary Ms Jenice Chua Chor Ping had previously written to The Straits Times criticizing NMP Siew Kum Hong’s attempt to repeal Section 377A, claiming that “Mr Siew has overstepped the boundary as an NMP when he chose to represent the homosexual interest group.” She also wrote a letter equating homosexuality to a mental illness, arguing for its continued criminalization on the grounds that “just as a person with kleptomania is not excused by law when caught in the act of stealing, the law does not excuse people caught in homosexual offences.”
One of the new supporters of the new Executive Committee, Ms Angela Thiang, had previously written a letter to The Straits Times Forum arguing that recognizing homosexuals as a sexual minority could potentially “lead to banning religious texts like the Quran and Bible as ‘hate literature’ for ‘incit(ing) hatred against sexual minorities.”
Among feminists, concern was voiced about the implications a Christian fundamentalist AWARE Executive Committee would have on feminism. Jolene, Editor of feminist webzine Glass Castle, worries that an overtly Christian fundamentalist AWARE Executive Committee might be regressive to women’s rights. In an editorial, she wrote:
“It is probable the new AWARE will use the perception of AWARE as an organization that speaks for women’s interests, so as to lobby for programmes that are directly contrary to women’s interests. They could well support substantial restrictions on abortion rights”.
Ms Angela Thiang had previously written a letter to The Straits Times pushing for a review of laws permitting abortion.
Former president of AWARE and Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP), Ms Breama Mathi, told TOC she was uncomfortable with the opacity of the new committee’s values.
“I would like them to show cause about what they’re trying to do in relationship with AWARE’s value system. I know they are all highly qualified on paper, and these qualifications are highly valuable to any organization, but this is a 24 year old organization with an established value system. So I’d be more comfortable if they gave some clarity on what they believed in”.
What next?
AWARE’s constitution states that the threshold for calling an EOGM is 10% of AWARE’s membership. The society has around 500 members, so the current petition group of 150 members is sufficient to trigger one.
Ms Lim says that while part of the purpose of the EOGM is to get the new committee to explain its values, she added that “if it is not satisfactory to the EOGM, we will go ahead with the vote of no confidence.”
The AWARE constitution is silent on the time required for an EOGM to be called after the petitioners request one, requiring only that it be called within a reasonable time period.
The petitioners have asked that one be called within the next 14 days, after which another 14 days will be given for members to be notified.
Would legal action against the current Executive Committee be an option if they fail to comply? While hesitant to cite it as a course of action, Ms Lim did not rule it out.
“Legal action is not something we want to think about, we don’t want to destroy AWARE. It’s not something we want, and we’ll only use it as a last resort.”
Josie Lau picked as president at late night meeting
ALICIA WONG
[email protected]
THE new guard sealed its leadership grab in women’s advocacy group Aware yesterday when one of their own, Ms Josie Lau Meng Lee, was appointed president.
The executive committee of the group was meeting one week after its then newly-elected president and older member Claire Nazar abruptly resigned.
Ms Lau holds a senior position in DBS Bank as vice-president for its cards. Her husband, Today understands, is associate member Dr Alan Chin who helped count the votes at the society’s annual general meeting (AGM) on March 28.
The AGM made news when nine of the 12 seats on the society’s Exco went to new faces, including the positions of vice-president, honorary secretary, honorarytreasurer and assistant honorary secretary.
Last night’s meeting was also not without its share of drama when about three hours after it began, Ms Caris Lim — one of two long-time Exco members who had not been ousted — walked out.
“I am very disillusioned. I don’t like what’s going on, so I am walking out,” she said with a sombre face as she left the meeting at 10.15pm.
Ms Lau, 48, was chosen as president from the six non-office bearers which included Ms Lim. The other long-time Aware member still on the Exco is Ms Chew I-Jin, who is assistant honorary treasurer.
After the meeting ended at around11pm, Ms Lau told the press she was “delighted to have been elected”. At this point, however, an Aware staff clarified that Ms Lau had been “appointed”.
In her position, Ms Lau said she will “aspire to bring Aware to a new level of development, advocacy and growth for women of the nation”. She declined to comment further but said she would “propel” the group as a “positive agent in advancing the causes of women in particular in times like now which is very, very challenging”.
Some members had arrived at Aware’s headquarters at Dover Crescent for the meeting wearing strained, stern looks. But Ms Lau ended her night just as she had started it — composed and courteous.
Also present was Ms Constance Singam, the immediate past president for Aware, which stands for the Association of Women for Action and Research.
She declined to comment before the meeting started, but said later that “we” will not be resigning from the group as it is one they love and have been committed to for “a very long time”.
Cyberspace has been abuzz with rumours about the religious and allegedly anti-gay views of the new Exco members. It has also been reported that some of them, including honorary secretary Jenica Chua, as well as Dr Chin have written to the media about homosexuality.
Ms Chua had written in October 2007 about Non-nominated Member of Parliament Siew Kum Hong petitioning to repeal Section 377A of the Penal Code which criminalises homosexual sex between consenting men.
Dr Chin has cautioned against the risks of promoting the homosexual lifestyle.
At the same time that the meeting was taking place last night, the group was also holding a party for its volunteers at its premises. Josie Lau picked as president at late night meeting
ALICIA WONG
[email protected]
THE new guard sealed its leadership grab in women’s advocacy group Aware yesterday when one of their own, Ms Josie Lau Meng Lee, was appointed president.
The executive committee of the group was meeting one week after its then newly-elected president and older member Claire Nazar abruptly resigned.
Ms Lau holds a senior position in DBS Bank as vice-president for its cards. Her husband, Today understands, is associate member Dr Alan Chin who helped count the votes at the society’s annual general meeting (AGM) on March 28.
The AGM made news when nine of the 12 seats on the society’s Exco went to new faces, including the positions of vice-president, honorary secretary, honorarytreasurer and assistant honorary secretary.
Last night’s meeting was also not without its share of drama when about three hours after it began, Ms Caris Lim — one of two long-time Exco members who had not been ousted — walked out.
“I am very disillusioned. I don’t like what’s going on, so I am walking out,” she said with a sombre face as she left the meeting at 10.15pm.
Ms Lau, 48, was chosen as president from the six non-office bearers which included Ms Lim. The other long-time Aware member still on the Exco is Ms Chew I-Jin, who is assistant honorary treasurer.
After the meeting ended at around11pm, Ms Lau told the press she was “delighted to have been elected”. At this point, however, an Aware staff clarified that Ms Lau had been “appointed”.
In her position, Ms Lau said she will “aspire to bring Aware to a new level of development, advocacy and growth for women of the nation”. She declined to comment further but said she would “propel” the group as a “positive agent in advancing the causes of women in particular in times like now which is very, very challenging”.
Some members had arrived at Aware’s headquarters at Dover Crescent for the meeting wearing strained, stern looks. But Ms Lau ended her night just as she had started it — composed and courteous.
Also present was Ms Constance Singam, the immediate past president for Aware, which stands for the Association of Women for Action and Research.
She declined to comment before the meeting started, but said later that “we” will not be resigning from the group as it is one they love and have been committed to for “a very long time”.
Cyberspace has been abuzz with rumours about the religious and allegedly anti-gay views of the new Exco members. It has also been reported that some of them, including honorary secretary Jenica Chua, as well as Dr Chin have written to the media about homosexuality.
Ms Chua had written in October 2007 about Non-nominated Member of Parliament Siew Kum Hong petitioning to repeal Section 377A of the Penal Code which criminalises homosexual sex between consenting men.
Dr Chin has cautioned against the risks of promoting the homosexual lifestyle.
At the same time that the meeting was taking place last night, the group was also holding a party for its volunteers at its premises. Josie Lau picked as president at late night meeting
DBS quick to siam the controversy. This is damn good corporate cover-backside. Fast, decisive and quick to the press.
What DBS says ...
DBS Bank requires all employees to obtain approval before running for or taking on an external appointment, and many DBS employees are involved in community work and/or support various charity organisations in their own personal capacity.
It had informed Ms Lau prior “to the Aware election” last night that, although the bank supported her involvement in Aware as council member in her own personal capacity, it was however “not supportive” of her intent to run for president of Aware, a spokesman told Today late last night.
“We believe that as a VP in DBS, she already has a challenging job with many responsibilities and the role of president would demand too much of her time and energy.”
What DBS says ...
DBS Bank requires all employees to obtain approval before running for or taking on an external appointment, and many DBS employees are involved in community work and/or support various charity organisations in their own personal capacity.
It had informed Ms Lau prior “to the Aware election” last night that, although the bank supported her involvement in Aware as council member in her own personal capacity, it was however “not supportive” of her intent to run for president of Aware, a spokesman told Today late last night.
“We believe that as a VP in DBS, she already has a challenging job with many responsibilities and the role of president would demand too much of her time and energy.”
:p
She did it not once, but twice
Loh Chee Kong
[email protected]
AS OBSERVERS reacted with surprise to DBS Bank’s declaration that it did not support employee Josie Lau’s appointment as president of a local women’s advocacy group, the bank yesterday further revealed that it was “reviewing the matter internally” — after she had “knowingly disregarded” its staff code of conduct twice.
Said a bank spokesperson: “Such attitude is not one that DBS, or any other organisation, can condone in a leader.”
Ms Lau, who is the bank’s vice-president of consumer banking group cards and unsecured loans, was on Wednesday night named the new Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) chief. Shortly after, DBS issued a statement implying that Ms Lau had gone against its wishes in taking up the post.
Shedding more light on this yesterday, DBS revealed that Ms Lau had informed the bank on April 13 that she had been appointed to the Aware executive committee — more than two weeks after the deed was done on March 28.
“She had not sought prior approval for this appointment and thereby breached the staff code of conduct. Nevertheless, DBS made a concession and agreed to support her involvement as exco member,” said the bank spokesperson.
Then, early this week, she told the bank she was aiming for the top post. The bank reviewed this request and informed her that while it continued to support her involvement in Aware, “we could not support her intent to run for president, given the demands associated with the top post of a leading advocacy group in Singapore”.
“Banks worldwide are facing very challenging times and her role as VP in the credit card space today is even more challenging, given the environment we are in,” added the spokesperson. “We are disappointed that Josie knowingly disregarded DBS’ staff code of conduct twice.”
Ms Lau declined to comment, with an Aware spokesperson saying she would speak to the media once things settled down.
The bank’s public rebuke has puzzled some. It was one thing for firms to express concern in private over employees’ involvement in external activities, and quite another to do so publicly, particularly for a senior staff, they felt.
“At the very senior management level, there should be adequate communication about such involvements ... In this case, there may be some other issues of which we may be unaware,” said Singapore Human Resource Institute executive director David Ang.
“For DBS to issue such a statement, (the situation) must be of some gravity,”
TODAY understands that under the Banking Act, all bank employees must declare their involvement with external organisations, such as NGOs, to avoid a potential clash of interest.
Banks contacted confirmed the industry practice. Said OCBC spokesperson Koh Ching Ching: “Financial institutions also need to know of potential conflicts for any possible supplier-buyer situations, even for accounts held by non-profit organisations or charities with us.”
The bank respects staff’s “own assessment of their own abilities to balance work, family and community service activities”; still, they are encouraged to discuss their external commitments “if they need advice”.
SUBHD:
Within the NGO sector, Ms Lau – who joined DBS in 2004 after 15 years of developing and marketing events with the Singapore Tourism Board – is not alone in incurring employers’ dissatisfaction. One NGO veteran who declined to be named told TODAY, his employers have from time to time “pressured” him to give up his commitments.
Dr Geh Min, who stepped down last year as Nature Society president, said it ultimately boils down to the trust between employer and staff. “It’s right for a company to expect commitment and loyalty ... it’s up to the employee to convince the company he can juggle (the demands),” said the ophthalmologist who runs her own clinic.
Mr Ang said that even among companies with a policy against staff holding external appointments, most are flexible on the matter.
Citing his own experience as president of the Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation, Singapore Cable Manufacturer chairman Renny Yeo feels such involvement would further hone a person’s leadership and organisational skills, which would in turn benefit the company. But the bottomline, said Mr Yeo, is whether the company feels the staff is up to the balancing act.
The mantra at DBS, it seems, is no different.
Stressing that the bank “takes pride in” the many DBS employees who are involved in community, charity or volunteer groups in their personal capacity, the spokesperson reiterated that these staff “had sought and obtained prior approval to do so”. Approval is granted on a case-by-case basis, “depending on the demands of the proposed external appointment and the job responsiblities the individual holds in the bank”.
Loh Chee Kong
[email protected]
AS OBSERVERS reacted with surprise to DBS Bank’s declaration that it did not support employee Josie Lau’s appointment as president of a local women’s advocacy group, the bank yesterday further revealed that it was “reviewing the matter internally” — after she had “knowingly disregarded” its staff code of conduct twice.
Said a bank spokesperson: “Such attitude is not one that DBS, or any other organisation, can condone in a leader.”
Ms Lau, who is the bank’s vice-president of consumer banking group cards and unsecured loans, was on Wednesday night named the new Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) chief. Shortly after, DBS issued a statement implying that Ms Lau had gone against its wishes in taking up the post.
Shedding more light on this yesterday, DBS revealed that Ms Lau had informed the bank on April 13 that she had been appointed to the Aware executive committee — more than two weeks after the deed was done on March 28.
“She had not sought prior approval for this appointment and thereby breached the staff code of conduct. Nevertheless, DBS made a concession and agreed to support her involvement as exco member,” said the bank spokesperson.
Then, early this week, she told the bank she was aiming for the top post. The bank reviewed this request and informed her that while it continued to support her involvement in Aware, “we could not support her intent to run for president, given the demands associated with the top post of a leading advocacy group in Singapore”.
“Banks worldwide are facing very challenging times and her role as VP in the credit card space today is even more challenging, given the environment we are in,” added the spokesperson. “We are disappointed that Josie knowingly disregarded DBS’ staff code of conduct twice.”
Ms Lau declined to comment, with an Aware spokesperson saying she would speak to the media once things settled down.
The bank’s public rebuke has puzzled some. It was one thing for firms to express concern in private over employees’ involvement in external activities, and quite another to do so publicly, particularly for a senior staff, they felt.
“At the very senior management level, there should be adequate communication about such involvements ... In this case, there may be some other issues of which we may be unaware,” said Singapore Human Resource Institute executive director David Ang.
“For DBS to issue such a statement, (the situation) must be of some gravity,”
TODAY understands that under the Banking Act, all bank employees must declare their involvement with external organisations, such as NGOs, to avoid a potential clash of interest.
Banks contacted confirmed the industry practice. Said OCBC spokesperson Koh Ching Ching: “Financial institutions also need to know of potential conflicts for any possible supplier-buyer situations, even for accounts held by non-profit organisations or charities with us.”
The bank respects staff’s “own assessment of their own abilities to balance work, family and community service activities”; still, they are encouraged to discuss their external commitments “if they need advice”.
SUBHD:
Within the NGO sector, Ms Lau – who joined DBS in 2004 after 15 years of developing and marketing events with the Singapore Tourism Board – is not alone in incurring employers’ dissatisfaction. One NGO veteran who declined to be named told TODAY, his employers have from time to time “pressured” him to give up his commitments.
Dr Geh Min, who stepped down last year as Nature Society president, said it ultimately boils down to the trust between employer and staff. “It’s right for a company to expect commitment and loyalty ... it’s up to the employee to convince the company he can juggle (the demands),” said the ophthalmologist who runs her own clinic.
Mr Ang said that even among companies with a policy against staff holding external appointments, most are flexible on the matter.
Citing his own experience as president of the Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation, Singapore Cable Manufacturer chairman Renny Yeo feels such involvement would further hone a person’s leadership and organisational skills, which would in turn benefit the company. But the bottomline, said Mr Yeo, is whether the company feels the staff is up to the balancing act.
The mantra at DBS, it seems, is no different.
Stressing that the bank “takes pride in” the many DBS employees who are involved in community, charity or volunteer groups in their personal capacity, the spokesperson reiterated that these staff “had sought and obtained prior approval to do so”. Approval is granted on a case-by-case basis, “depending on the demands of the proposed external appointment and the job responsiblities the individual holds in the bank”.
The Christian Right might have taken on too big a target this time round. Things are moving behind the scene. I think the other Aware committee members will be facing pressures at work as well.
Isn’t for the gander? DBS has other multi-taskers too, besides Aware’s president
Conrad Raj
editor-at-large | [email protected]
ONE might wonder if there is more than meets the eye, in DBS Bank’s disapproval of Ms Josie Lau Meng Lee’s appointment as president of Aware.
The bank said on Wednesday that although it supported her involvement in Aware as a council member in her own personal capacity, it was “not supportive” of her running for presidency of the women’s advocacy group.
“We believe that as a VP (vice-president) in DBS, she already has a challenging job with many responsibilities and the role of president would demand too much of her time and energy,” the bank said in a media statement.
If it is the case that Ms Lau’s new post at Aware would take up too much of her time, then what about the various external groups that the bank’s senior management are involved in?
Mr Koh Boon Hwee already has a full time job as executive director of MediaRing. Yet he chairs DBS Holdings, since the late chief executive Richard Stanley became ill with cancer, where he has been involved in the daily running of Singapore’s largest commercial bank.
Furthermore, Mr Koh is a director of Sunningdale Tech, chairman of the Board of Trustees at Nanyang Technological University, a director at Temasek Holdings, and on the boards of Agilent Technologies and the Hewlett Foundation. Is that not more onerous than being a VP of DBS’ credit card division and president of Aware?
Mr Koh is not the only one multi-tasking at the bank; most of its other directors sit on other boards besides having full-time jobs.
Take Dr Bart Broadman, 47, for example. He is not only managing director of Singapore-based Alphadyne Asset Management which he founded, but is also a board member of the Central Provident Fund Board, serving on its Investment Committee; as well as vice-chairman of the Board of Governors at the Singapore American School.
Board member Kwa Chong Seng, 62, is not only chairman and managing director of oil giant ExxonMobil Asia Pacific and the lead manager of the company’s subsidiaries in Singapore, but also deputy chairman of Temasek Holdings, a director of Sinopec SenMei (Fujian) Petroleum Company and a member of the Public Service and Legal Service commissions.
Mr Wong Ngit Liong, 67, is not only a member of DBS’ Board and its Audit committee, the Nominating and Compensation committee and the Management Development committee — but also runs one of the biggest contract manufacturing plants in Singapore, the Venture Group of companies. He is also chairman of the NUS Board of Trustees and a member of the Research Innovation and Enterprise Council.
All this aside, several of Singapore’s Ministers and top civil servants hold more than one portfolio. In fact, many permanent secretaries sit on various boards of statutory boards and private companies, besides running their respective ministries.
Yet, Ms Lau is considered not capable of handling the presidency of Aware and her job at DBS. Is the bank that demanding an employer? Also, she was given approval to be a council member but not take on the higher-profile appointment at Aware: One would have thought, it would be a feather in DBS’ cap to have a staff member gaining the presidency of a prominent organisation.
In any case, DBS should be judgingMs Lau on her performance at the bank. If she is not able to perform adequately as a VP, there are various measures the bank can take to improve her performance, including cutting her bonus or stagnating her pay.
Unless there are other factors at play here? Isn’t for the gander? DBS has other multi-taskers too, besides Aware’s president
Isn’t for the gander? DBS has other multi-taskers too, besides Aware’s president
Conrad Raj
editor-at-large | [email protected]
ONE might wonder if there is more than meets the eye, in DBS Bank’s disapproval of Ms Josie Lau Meng Lee’s appointment as president of Aware.
The bank said on Wednesday that although it supported her involvement in Aware as a council member in her own personal capacity, it was “not supportive” of her running for presidency of the women’s advocacy group.
“We believe that as a VP (vice-president) in DBS, she already has a challenging job with many responsibilities and the role of president would demand too much of her time and energy,” the bank said in a media statement.
If it is the case that Ms Lau’s new post at Aware would take up too much of her time, then what about the various external groups that the bank’s senior management are involved in?
Mr Koh Boon Hwee already has a full time job as executive director of MediaRing. Yet he chairs DBS Holdings, since the late chief executive Richard Stanley became ill with cancer, where he has been involved in the daily running of Singapore’s largest commercial bank.
Furthermore, Mr Koh is a director of Sunningdale Tech, chairman of the Board of Trustees at Nanyang Technological University, a director at Temasek Holdings, and on the boards of Agilent Technologies and the Hewlett Foundation. Is that not more onerous than being a VP of DBS’ credit card division and president of Aware?
Mr Koh is not the only one multi-tasking at the bank; most of its other directors sit on other boards besides having full-time jobs.
Take Dr Bart Broadman, 47, for example. He is not only managing director of Singapore-based Alphadyne Asset Management which he founded, but is also a board member of the Central Provident Fund Board, serving on its Investment Committee; as well as vice-chairman of the Board of Governors at the Singapore American School.
Board member Kwa Chong Seng, 62, is not only chairman and managing director of oil giant ExxonMobil Asia Pacific and the lead manager of the company’s subsidiaries in Singapore, but also deputy chairman of Temasek Holdings, a director of Sinopec SenMei (Fujian) Petroleum Company and a member of the Public Service and Legal Service commissions.
Mr Wong Ngit Liong, 67, is not only a member of DBS’ Board and its Audit committee, the Nominating and Compensation committee and the Management Development committee — but also runs one of the biggest contract manufacturing plants in Singapore, the Venture Group of companies. He is also chairman of the NUS Board of Trustees and a member of the Research Innovation and Enterprise Council.
All this aside, several of Singapore’s Ministers and top civil servants hold more than one portfolio. In fact, many permanent secretaries sit on various boards of statutory boards and private companies, besides running their respective ministries.
Yet, Ms Lau is considered not capable of handling the presidency of Aware and her job at DBS. Is the bank that demanding an employer? Also, she was given approval to be a council member but not take on the higher-profile appointment at Aware: One would have thought, it would be a feather in DBS’ cap to have a staff member gaining the presidency of a prominent organisation.
In any case, DBS should be judgingMs Lau on her performance at the bank. If she is not able to perform adequately as a VP, there are various measures the bank can take to improve her performance, including cutting her bonus or stagnating her pay.
Unless there are other factors at play here? Isn’t for the gander? DBS has other multi-taskers too, besides Aware’s president
Zul Othman
[email protected]
A STATEMENT on Wednesday outlining the new-guard leadership’s plans, followed yesterday by detailed CVs of the 11 members —mostly unknown faces — may have gone a tiny way towards mending the rift with older members of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware).
Long-time member Corrine Lim called the statement “a step in the right direction”, after two-and-a-half weeks of silence from the executive committee. Still, Aware veterans remain sceptical until a date for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) is set.
“They said they would honour the values and work Aware has done, but so far, their actions don’t really match the statement issued,” Ms Lim said. There remain “a lot of question marks among members”.
Founding member Margaret Thomas said a meeting would give the new leaders a chance “to be transparent” and “convince us (the old guard) that there is no hidden agenda” behind the leadership change.
The new exco, which came to power in a surprise election result on March 28, on Wednesday night appointed a new president. Yesterday, biodata of the exco members were released to the media — including, for the first time, the nine new faces who come from diverse professional backgrounds in the business, banking, finance, legal, education, human resource and social service sectors.
But the exco could yet face a no-confidence motion at the EGM that 150 members like Ms Lim are calling for.
As of press time, the exco had not replied to Today’s queries about whether an EGM would be held, how it might go about reconciliation efforts, or if it would take Aware in any new directions.
In its statement, however, the new leaders had said they intend to “build on the solid foundations laid by the founders” and would “remember and honour the work of past Aware members”.
In particular, new president Josie Lau said the team would “seek to collaborate and align Aware with other women’s organisations” in outreach to girls and women hit by the recession, such as equipping those retrenched with new skills.
[email protected]
A STATEMENT on Wednesday outlining the new-guard leadership’s plans, followed yesterday by detailed CVs of the 11 members —mostly unknown faces — may have gone a tiny way towards mending the rift with older members of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware).
Long-time member Corrine Lim called the statement “a step in the right direction”, after two-and-a-half weeks of silence from the executive committee. Still, Aware veterans remain sceptical until a date for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) is set.
“They said they would honour the values and work Aware has done, but so far, their actions don’t really match the statement issued,” Ms Lim said. There remain “a lot of question marks among members”.
Founding member Margaret Thomas said a meeting would give the new leaders a chance “to be transparent” and “convince us (the old guard) that there is no hidden agenda” behind the leadership change.
The new exco, which came to power in a surprise election result on March 28, on Wednesday night appointed a new president. Yesterday, biodata of the exco members were released to the media — including, for the first time, the nine new faces who come from diverse professional backgrounds in the business, banking, finance, legal, education, human resource and social service sectors.
But the exco could yet face a no-confidence motion at the EGM that 150 members like Ms Lim are calling for.
As of press time, the exco had not replied to Today’s queries about whether an EGM would be held, how it might go about reconciliation efforts, or if it would take Aware in any new directions.
In its statement, however, the new leaders had said they intend to “build on the solid foundations laid by the founders” and would “remember and honour the work of past Aware members”.
In particular, new president Josie Lau said the team would “seek to collaborate and align Aware with other women’s organisations” in outreach to girls and women hit by the recession, such as equipping those retrenched with new skills.
I think DBS has nothing to worry about. Its looks like the President's husband will be managing AWARE.
160 AWARE members call for meeting to question new ExCo
By Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 14 April 2009 2057 hrs
160 AWARE members call for meeting to question new ExCo
SINGAPORE : 160 members of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) have submitted a request to call an extraordinary general meeting for the society, where a motion of no confidence in the newly-elected Executive Committee (ExCo) will be considered.
It all started at the AWARE annual general meeting on March 28.
Nine of the 12 Executive Committee positions went to newcomers during that meeting. Over 100 people had turned up to vote and many of these voters had only just joined AWARE.
Some of the newcomers have previously written to the media speaking against homosexuality. AWARE, on the other hand, is known for its liberal stance.
"It (AWARE) stands for choice, it stands for gender equity, it stands for democracy, it stands for diversity, plurality. That's why our membership has always been open," said Corinna Lim, a former Executive Committee member and AWARE member since 1992.
When asked for their reasons for seeking leadership, the new ExCo members declined comment.
"We told you that ExCo is going to be meeting sometime this week, after which there will be a press release. So there is no comment," said Charlotte Wong, VP of AWARE.
Its newly-elected President, Claire Nazar, a longtime member of AWARE, resigned barely two weeks after being voted in.
Some past presidents in the meantime, have been collecting signatures to call for an extraordinary general meeting - prompting some observers to comment that they are behaving like sore losers.
"We welcome change, it is not about losing at all. Someone from a different group came in, have certain ideas about what AWARE should be doing and hasn't communicated it, and all we want to know now is what this is about," said Lim.
"The extraordinary general meeting is an opportunity for the new guard to explain their position and win the members over. We can't really comment whether they will hold fast to the traditional line of AWARE, but I can't imagine why not, if they chose to enter AWARE and run for office there," said political analyst Gillian Koh.
The current committee has not replied to members' request to hold the meeting.
AWARE has about 500 members. - CNA /ls
By Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 14 April 2009 2057 hrs
160 AWARE members call for meeting to question new ExCo
SINGAPORE : 160 members of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) have submitted a request to call an extraordinary general meeting for the society, where a motion of no confidence in the newly-elected Executive Committee (ExCo) will be considered.
It all started at the AWARE annual general meeting on March 28.
Nine of the 12 Executive Committee positions went to newcomers during that meeting. Over 100 people had turned up to vote and many of these voters had only just joined AWARE.
Some of the newcomers have previously written to the media speaking against homosexuality. AWARE, on the other hand, is known for its liberal stance.
"It (AWARE) stands for choice, it stands for gender equity, it stands for democracy, it stands for diversity, plurality. That's why our membership has always been open," said Corinna Lim, a former Executive Committee member and AWARE member since 1992.
When asked for their reasons for seeking leadership, the new ExCo members declined comment.
"We told you that ExCo is going to be meeting sometime this week, after which there will be a press release. So there is no comment," said Charlotte Wong, VP of AWARE.
Its newly-elected President, Claire Nazar, a longtime member of AWARE, resigned barely two weeks after being voted in.
Some past presidents in the meantime, have been collecting signatures to call for an extraordinary general meeting - prompting some observers to comment that they are behaving like sore losers.
"We welcome change, it is not about losing at all. Someone from a different group came in, have certain ideas about what AWARE should be doing and hasn't communicated it, and all we want to know now is what this is about," said Lim.
"The extraordinary general meeting is an opportunity for the new guard to explain their position and win the members over. We can't really comment whether they will hold fast to the traditional line of AWARE, but I can't imagine why not, if they chose to enter AWARE and run for office there," said political analyst Gillian Koh.
The current committee has not replied to members' request to hold the meeting.
AWARE has about 500 members. - CNA /ls
150 AWARE members seek vote of no confidence in new executive committee
By Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 14 April 2009 1435 hrs
SINGAPORE: Some members of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) have sought a vote of no confidence in the newly elected executive committee.
In a statement, 150 AWARE members said they submitted a request to the society's current executive committee to call for an extra-ordinary general meeting (EOGM) as soon as possible.
The meeting will be asked to consider a motion of no confidence in the executive committee, as a result of the "unusual nature of the annual general meeting last month” when a large number of new members turned up and appeared to have voted for several office bearers, all of whom are also new members.
Barely two weeks after the AGM, the newly elected president, Claire Nazar, resigned.
The statement said AWARE members are concerned about these developments, and that the EOGM will be an opportunity for members to raise and discuss their concerns with the executive committee directly.
The group has asked that the notice for the EOGM be issued no later than 14 days from Tuesday.
- CNA/yb
By Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 14 April 2009 1435 hrs
SINGAPORE: Some members of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) have sought a vote of no confidence in the newly elected executive committee.
In a statement, 150 AWARE members said they submitted a request to the society's current executive committee to call for an extra-ordinary general meeting (EOGM) as soon as possible.
The meeting will be asked to consider a motion of no confidence in the executive committee, as a result of the "unusual nature of the annual general meeting last month” when a large number of new members turned up and appeared to have voted for several office bearers, all of whom are also new members.
Barely two weeks after the AGM, the newly elected president, Claire Nazar, resigned.
The statement said AWARE members are concerned about these developments, and that the EOGM will be an opportunity for members to raise and discuss their concerns with the executive committee directly.
The group has asked that the notice for the EOGM be issued no later than 14 days from Tuesday.
- CNA/yb
AWARE president questions intentions of veterans unhappy over election outcome
By Cheryl Lim, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 17 April 2009 1747 hrs
SINGAPORE: The new president of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE), Josie Lau, has questioned the intentions of veteran members who are unhappy that newcomers have swept most of the executive committee seats in the organisation's recent annual election.
In a statement to the media, she challenged these members to disclose their motives and objectives fully and honestly.
On Tuesday, 160 members had written to the new Exco to request for an extraordinary general meeting, with the apparent purpose of replacing the Exco.
Ms Lau pointed out that no more than five of the signatories had been present at last month's annual general meeting.
She also highlighted that just-resigned president Claire Nazar had nominated six out of the 11 new Exco members with the support of veteran members.
She also said that following the first Exco meeting on April 7, Ms Nazar unilaterally resigned by email on April 8.
The Exco then called for a second Exco meeting on April 15, the earliest possible date, as the Constitution requires at least seven days' notice.
It was at this meeting that Ms Lau was named the new president unopposed.
Ms Lau said the current committee hopes to improve the life of women in Singapore and is pro-women, pro-family and pro-Singapore.
Ms Lau added that AWARE is a secular organisation - with members from different races, walks of life and belief systems.
She said that as a democratic society, they welcome diverse viewpoints.
Ms Lau added that she has full confidence in her team and that they are ready for the challenges ahead. - CNA/ms
By Cheryl Lim, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 17 April 2009 1747 hrs
SINGAPORE: The new president of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE), Josie Lau, has questioned the intentions of veteran members who are unhappy that newcomers have swept most of the executive committee seats in the organisation's recent annual election.
In a statement to the media, she challenged these members to disclose their motives and objectives fully and honestly.
On Tuesday, 160 members had written to the new Exco to request for an extraordinary general meeting, with the apparent purpose of replacing the Exco.
Ms Lau pointed out that no more than five of the signatories had been present at last month's annual general meeting.
She also highlighted that just-resigned president Claire Nazar had nominated six out of the 11 new Exco members with the support of veteran members.
She also said that following the first Exco meeting on April 7, Ms Nazar unilaterally resigned by email on April 8.
The Exco then called for a second Exco meeting on April 15, the earliest possible date, as the Constitution requires at least seven days' notice.
It was at this meeting that Ms Lau was named the new president unopposed.
Ms Lau said the current committee hopes to improve the life of women in Singapore and is pro-women, pro-family and pro-Singapore.
Ms Lau added that AWARE is a secular organisation - with members from different races, walks of life and belief systems.
She said that as a democratic society, they welcome diverse viewpoints.
Ms Lau added that she has full confidence in her team and that they are ready for the challenges ahead. - CNA/ms
For those who are wondering why I am posting all the articles, I am fascinated with the coup at AWARE and felt this is a result of the suppression of dialogue and communications between the various religions and civil groups in Singapore.
Such that the Christian Right finds it "doable" to take over a 20+ year old secular organisation to push their own agenda. This event is a milestone in the civil moment in Singapore.
Such that the Christian Right finds it "doable" to take over a 20+ year old secular organisation to push their own agenda. This event is a milestone in the civil moment in Singapore.
I stand corrected on this one but didn't Josie Lau play a part in DBS' donation to some Pro Family group which appears to be anti-gay?
Btw I think Conrad raised some good points in favour of Josie viz DBS' curious stance on her AWARE appointment, why the need for trial by media?
Btw I think Conrad raised some good points in favour of Josie viz DBS' curious stance on her AWARE appointment, why the need for trial by media?
AWARE president questions intentions of veterans unhappy over election outcome
By Cheryl Lim, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 17 April 2009 1747 hrs
Ms Lau said the current committee hopes to improve the life of women in Singapore and is pro-women, pro-family and pro-Singapore.
Ms Lau added that AWARE is a secular organisation - with members from different races, walks of life and belief systems.
She said that as a democratic society, they welcome diverse viewpoints.
By Cheryl Lim, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 17 April 2009 1747 hrs
Ms Lau said the current committee hopes to improve the life of women in Singapore and is pro-women, pro-family and pro-Singapore.
Ms Lau added that AWARE is a secular organisation - with members from different races, walks of life and belief systems.
She said that as a democratic society, they welcome diverse viewpoints.
Obviously then Ms Nazar is part of the gang and a hachet woman at that. Looks like AWARE has led the wolf into the house!
But why did she quit? What I dun understand is that AWARE was dying but the ex presidents are a lot of toughies. What was Josie and gang thinking of when they attempted this coup? Now they are fighting it all out in the media. I am sure a lot of Christians are aghast at their actions just as I am at the trial of Venerable Ming Yi.
A few hypothesis:
1) Maybe Ms Nazar's understanding of the orignal plan was to just let in the six nominated by her, but she freaked out when she realizes her bedfellows pushed through way past the six.
2) Maybe she felt guilty.
3) Maybe her quitting was actually part of the plan to pave way for Ms DBS.
I am inclined to go with (3).
Saying is worthless. Just come clean with how the new exco members are related and what churches they attend. Come clean about whether they have discussed beforehand this coup they have executed. Words are cheap, their actions suggest otherwise!
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