Aware Chaos - “Shut up and sit down”

Chaos - “Shut up and sit down”
Sunday, 3 May 2009

By Terence Lee and Choo Zheng Xi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-VYBZgwGdg

“SIT down and shut up!”

That was ex-Honorary Treasurer Sally Ang’s (picture left, in red) retorted to the heckling and disruptions of Ms Josie Lau’s address at the EGM. However, instead of silencing the crowd, more howls of protest followed, including cries to remove Ms Ang from the stage.

Angry arms flayed, voices bayed for blood, some from the Aware Old Guard came up to the front, and with both hands on the legal counsel’s table, beckoned him to remove the Executive Committee for speaking “vulgarities.” Another member, also at the table, shouted, “What vulgarities?”

Resembling more of a rowdy football crowd, the noise had struck some raw nerves among the Executive Committee. “People with unruly behaviour will be escorted out of this hall,” said Honorary Secratary Jenica Chua earlier, perturbed by the disruptions to Ms Josie Lau’s speech.

She then repeated the same warning, this time ordering the auxilary police to escort disruptors out. They included people taking flash photography and video recordings. However, in the face of such chaos, even the security personnel were powerless.

Such was the fury and passion displayed throughout the EGM.

Earlier on, at the beginning of the meeting, Ms Lau attempted to eject Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Mr Siew Kum Hong (right) from his seat amongst ordinary voting members. He was seated amongst the previous Aware presidents, acting as their legal advisor.

Men, who are associate members and not granted voting rights, were allotted separate seats from voting members. Mr Siew asserted his right to be with the old Aware Committee, and Ms Lau backed down from her position to loud jeering.

Chaos then broke out when Ms Lau attempted to open the meeting with a President’s address, but had problems getting through her first sentence because of the audience’s vocal insistence that she proceed with the vote of no confidence.

Not deterred, Aware members also protested over the fact that the mikes on the floor were not switched on. “On the mike!” they shouted repeatedly. An Aware member was even seen trying to bring a loud hailer to the front, although it was never used.

“What are you afraid of?” a lady hollered, to which Ms Lau replied, “What are you afraid of? Let me finish my business.”

Even the small section of men sitting at the side refused to be left out — they booed and shouted at Ms Josie Lau and team, who were desperately trying to maintain order. Eventually, Ms Lau made a compromise: the floor mikes would be switched on.

It took a total of 35 minutes for her to start the address. But even then, the speech was punctuated with jeers.

The supporters of Ms Lau’s team were a distinct minority. They replied to the heckling with dignified silence, occasionally clapping approvingly whenever the Executive Committee said something. But even as they complained about the “unruly” behaviour of the crowd, even they would fall victim to unbridled anger.

A young lady was particularly perturbed when the Old Guard later on requested that the ballot boxes be withheld for inspection. She had already dropped her ballot in — and was mad that they were allegedly trying to “tamper” with votes. Ms Braema Mathi went over to reason with her, but her anger would not subside.

Later on, as members of Aware addressed the crowd, she made an attempt to go for the mike, but was stopped by other members who were apparantly pro-Old Guard. She got into a temper, and a shouting match ensued.

Nevertheless, the other supporters of Ms Lau’s team preferred to protest with folded arms, pursed lips, and utterances amongst themselves.

The excitement died down somewhat when it became apparant that the torrent of criticism against The Executive Committee would not subside. In fact, some of Ms Lau’s supporters left towards the end of the meeting, leaving vacant seats. And all these while, Ms Thio Su Mien sat quietly at the front directly in front of the Executive Committee, only speaking when asked to.

Gradually, what ever opposition that was left seemed to have totally evaporated. When the Executive Committee was asked to consider tendering their resignation — they took longer than expected, leading the Old Guard to think they had left the building.

They only returned twenty minutes later, when half the new Committee was already nominated, and much to the surprise of everyone. Nonetheless, there would be no more conflict, only resigned defeat, and picture-perfect smiles to go along with it.

It was clear even before the meeting that there would be huge divisions and dramatic conflict — the distinction between both factions were loud and clear.

Controversy arose when some red shirts allegedly tried bring some Aware members up to the top floor, bypassing the queue. This was met with unhappiness by other members and was dealt with swiftly.

Even in the hall right before the meeting, the Executive Committee mostly kept to themselves at the front row, guarded by two auxilary policemen. In contrast, the past presidents were seen walking around talking to people and shaking hands.

Ex-Aware president Braema Mathi was seen walking to them exchanging formalities and beaming a smile. Neither party gave an indication of the thunderous scorn that was to follow.

http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27734.327