Post-EGM
“The feeling in the room was electrifying. I still can’t get over the fact that we got Aware back. It is a great moral victory.”- Constance Singam, past president of Aware
“It has been a privilege to be part of this whole effort to save Aware.” – Dana Lam, newly elected president of Aware
“It was a great demonstration by Singaporeans of what they believe in, or rather, what they do not believe.” – Eileena Lee, 38, Aware member since 2002
“You have not been open and honest with us from the beginning. I am concerned that if you remain in office, you will change the fundamental nature of Aware.” – Former Aware president Zaibun Siraj, on Ms Josie Lau’s team
“The members have spoken. It was a resounding, clear mandate about who we want to lead us.” – Kamalini Ramdas, 36, Aware volunteer since 2000
“Discussing sexual behaviours and practices does not make a child a homosexual.” – A psychologist, who declined to be named. She took the floor and said she used to work with abused teenagers as a counsellor with the former Ministry of Community Development.
“They were just out of their depth. They could not hold their own on any issues. What they demonstrated today was that they did not understand what Aware stood for and what it is all about. They are totally incapable of leading the organisation.” – Seri Suriyani, 37, a client director at a branding consultancy firm
“I thought they had it rough but they could have handled the situation better. Josie appeared arrogant to me from her choice of words and demeanour. She kept calling for security and had to repeat it two or three times. You would expect better standards of organisation from the leadership. The team’s words were also not well thought out, whereas the old guard came very prepared.” – Kamalam Suppiah, 50, a lawyer
Pre-EGM
“I arrived at the meeting late and found out that I was No. 100 on the attendance list. I’ve been a member for 10 years, and never before has there been such a turnout” – Former president Tan Joo Hymn
“It was alarming. How could a new member who had just joined for a couple of months, and whom we knew nothing about, be picked over someone who has been with Aware for more than 15 years?” – Former president Dana Lam
“I attended the AGM and it was heartbreaking when I stood up and asked if they understood the principles of AWARE and they did not answer.” – Nancy Griffiths, mother of two and AWARE member since 2002
“Why can’t they come in and be part of the process, and build it together and in a more evolutionary manner? That way, the comfort level will be high for everyone.” – Former NMP, Former President Braema Mathi and Head of CEDAW Committee (prior to ignominous sacking by Exco)
“It is clear from the first exco meeting that they were not going follow my direction… it was pointless for me to carry on.” “[the new Exco is] too gung-ho… with its stormtrooper tactics.” – Claire Nazar on on why she quit as President just 11 days after she won the seat.
“This is not a gay versus Christian debate. It is getting away from what Aware stands for. We have spoken up and initiated discussion on a lot of much broader issues – foreign worker abuse, domestic abuse, financial intelligence, education, body image, sexual harassment. We address issues that have large and wide implications which affect society.“ – Former president Constance Singam
“Our values, which are the essence of this organization, are based on the fundamental rights and responsibilities of women as women. These include being treated as informed individuals capable of choice; being deserving of opportunities equal to those of men in education, marriage and employment; and being able to control their own bodies, particularly with regard to sexual and reproductive health. Upholding and promoting these values is at the core of AWARE, and I expect members who want to serve on the EXCO, particularly as office bearers, to understand and support this.” – Former president Constance Singam
“How can you let past such as situation in which the new leaders could not unequivocally say they believe in the principle of gender equality?” – Nur Adlina Maulod on why she is supporting the SaveAware Cause
“I realise that I have to pay a bigger part in such issues that I care about, because they can easily be hijacked.” – Natasha Ho on why she signed up as a new Member
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