IN STARK contrast to the sombre faces among Ms Josie Lau's team in the corner of Suntec City, the victorious old guard savoured their awesome, emotional victory in style just five floors below.

 

There were smiles. There were congratulatory pats, hugs and snide references to Feminist Mentor Dr Thio Su Mien when they held up a packet of Mentos.


'This is feminist Mentos,' quipped past president Constance Singam, 72.


But is the battle really over? It doesn't take a math whiz to figure out that the lawyers, accountants and usage of expensive public venues like Suntec Convention Centre would add up.


The cost: $90,000. Who is going to pay?


Said newly-elected president Dana Lam-Teo: 'I'm astounded that they spent so much. I'm worried where the money will come from.


'We don't have that much money in our kitty.'


Will Ms Lau's team be responsible for the expenses? Ms Lam-Teo said she would have to consult Aware's lawyers.


Under Aware's constitution, the executive committee can spend only up to $20,000 a month without consulting members.


This is stated under article 18: 'The Executive Committee has power to authorise the expenditure of a sum not exceeding $20,000 per month from the society's funds for the society's purpose.'


During the meeting earlier, Ms Lotte Poole, 47, one of the previous exco members of Aware, referred to the expenses incurred for the meeting and asked: 'Is it $50,000, $75,000 or $100,000? Please give me an estimate even if you can't give me an exact figure.'


While Ms Maureen Ong, the honorary treasurer, had initially hemmed and hawed, she finally admitted: 'The figure is still not confirmed but it is... in the region of $90,000 in a month.'


Ms Poole told The New Paper on Sunday after that admission: 'I've been in Aware for eight years. This is outrageous. Do you know how long it takes to raise $100,000? It is very sad.'


Appalling


Newly-appointed vice-president Chew I-Jin, who had earlier quit her post of assistant honorary treasurer, added: 'It's appalling and shocking that $90,000 of our hard-earned funds was spent.'


She said that Aware has never spent more than $20,000 in her 14 years at the organisation.


Nominated Member of Parliament Siew Kum Hong, who is advisor to the old guard, said: 'The whole expenditure was unnecessary. But it's a decision for the new exco and members to take whether they want to make a police report or file a lawsuit.'


Lawsuit or not, will the hachet be buried? Will there be a reconciliation?


Said the new president: 'No reconciliation is necessary because they are still Aware members. They are welcome to take part in our activities and even disagree with our programmes.'


If Ms Lau's team sets up its own organisation, said Ms Lam-Teo, Aware will still work with them.


'I think it would be good if they did (set up another organisation), because then there would be more voices in civil society, more exchange and debate.'




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THE NEW (OLD) AWARE


President:


Dana Lam-Teo


Vice-president:


Chew I-Jin


Honorary Secretary:


Yap Ching Wi


Assistant Honorary Secretary:


Corrina Lim


Treasurer:


Tan Joo Hymn


Assistant Honorary Treasurer:


Lim Seow Yuin


Committee Members:


Hafizah Osman


Joanna D'Cruz


Martha Lee


Margaret Thomas


Nancy Griffiths


Nicole Tan

This article was first published in The New Paper