Hidden agenda?

Ms Josie Lau, Aware president, in a letter to the press:

'Why have some people cast aspersions on our good intentions? Why are they so angry with us? We've only just begun.

'We seek to improve the quality of life in Singapore. We are pro-women, pro-family and pro-Singapore.

'What is so objectionable about that? Does the old guard harbour an alternative agenda? If so, they should disclose their motives and objectives fully and honestly.'

Aware veteran members Ms Margaret Thomas, Ms Corrina Lim, Ms Braema Mathi, Ms Dana Lam, and Ms Tan Joo Hymn, representing the signatories of the requisition:

'Our initial questions remain - what do you want to do in Aware that is fundamentally different from what was already being done?

'If you think the work Aware has done all these years is so good and you want to 'honour' and 'build' on it, why the need to muscle your way into the exco? Such a tactic suggests there may be a hidden agenda that may be contrary to the stance and ethos of Aware.'

Secular or...

Ms Lau:

'Aware is a secular organisation. Its members come from different races, walks of life and hold different belief systems. Our commitment to advancing the cause of women unites us. As a democratic society, we cherish viewpoint diversity.'

Aware's veteran members

'We were further alarmed by media reports that the new Aware president led the marketing team in DBS' credit card campaign last year which supported the evangelical Christian organisation Focus on the Family.

'Aware is a secular organisation that embraces diversity of race, age, religion, culture and sexuality. It must remain so.'

WHO'S WHO IN NEW AWARE LEADERSHIP

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER

Catherine Tan Ling Ghim (above, extreme left): Financial planner. Member of Million Dollar Round Table.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER

Peggy Leong Pek Kay (above, second from left): Lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic's School of Humanities. Has 16years of teaching experience.

HONORARY SECRETARY

Jenica Chua Chor Ping (above, in red top): In her 30s. Management consultant with top business technology company.

HONORARY TREASURER

Maureen Ong Lee Keang (above, in patterned top): Last appointment was executive vice-president at SembCorp Group.

VICE-PRESIDENT

Charlotte Wong Hock Soon (above, wearing glasses): Consultant with ExxonMobil, where she worked for 21 years. Former sociology and anthropology lecturer at National University of Singapore.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER

Lois Ng (above): 44

Social entrepreneur who runs business that hires disabled people to produce gifts for tourists and corporate markets.

Former journalist, with The New Paper 1990-1995.

ASSISTANT HONORARY TREASURER

Chew I-Jin (above, wearing glasses): Aware member since May 1995. Previously served on Exco in 1995-1996, and as honorary treasurer in 2008-2009.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER

Irene Yee Khor Quin (above, in jacket): Over 10 years of professional experience in financial services.

ASSISTANT HONORARY SECRETARY

Sally Ang Koon Hian (above, in ruffled top): Runs own law firm, Sally Ang Ebenezer and Company. Has more than 30years of legal experience.

PRESIDENT

Josie Lau Meng-Lee (above, extreme right): 48, vice-president and head of marketing, cards and unsecured Loans, DBS. Mother of two daughters, aged 17 and 15. Married to Dr Alan Chin Yew Liang, who owns several clinics under the Lifeline Medical Group. 'Ms Lau is concerned about work-life balance and the role of mothers as a stabilising factor in a family,' an Aware statement said.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER

Caris Lim Chai Leng (not pictured): Freelance social worker, counsellor and trainer. Member of Aware since 2000. Exco member in 2008-2009.

This article was first published in The New Paper.