Police to Expo: Say no

Police to Expo: Say no

Thursday • April 30, 2009

ESTHER NG

estherng@mediacorp.com.sg

FIRST, it was space constraints that forced a change of venue. Now, the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) has to switch venues again for its extraordinary general meeting on Saturday — but this time because of law and order concerns.

The police on Tuesday advised the Singapore Expo not to allow Aware to hold its EGM there because “a coming together of members and supporters of the opposing camps at the same venue may result in law and order problems”.

Citing “death threats, intimidation and harassment” recently, police spokesman Inspector Mohd Hamizyam said there are reports that both groups are mobilising their supporters for the meetings.

So, Aware has selected the pricier Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre. But it is not clear how a switch in venue will prevent “a coming together” of the Old Guard’s camp and the new leadership’s at the EGM showdown.

The police said, however, that a member of the Old Guard had approached the Expo to hold a meeting there at the same date and time. The police advised the Expo to “similarly turn down if this application is submitted”.

Founding member Margaret Thomas confirmed this, and said: “We were hoping to book a conference room to fit 500, but this was to be a place to calm and direct our supporters and the press ... There is a danger of emotions running high, so we did this out of concern for safety.”

Also being held on the same day at the Expo is a mega-Christian church conference, Transformation 2009, organised by Faith Community Baptist Church.

Aware Exco member Lois Ng told Today the group had left logistical decisions to advertising agency Ape Communications.

The group’s membership has hit four-figures, from the 300 before its annual general meeting on March 28. As the numbers started rising after the EGM was called, the Exco changed the venue from an auditorium in HSR’s building in Toa Payoh to the Expo. Now, it will be Suntec’s Hall 402.

On the big day, new members can sign up on site but registration will close at 2pm.

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