MOE rebukes Dr Thio Su Mien’s claims about sexuality education in schools
The Ministry of Education has issued an official statement on its website today in reply to recent comments and claims about AWARE’s Sexuality Education Programme in Schools.
The sexual education programme started in 2007 and has reached about 12 secondary schools, run for small groups of students selected by their teachers to attend. To date 500 students, mostly girls, have attended the workshop, which comprises two three-hour sessions. It was only recently offered to boys.
The schools that engaged AWARE found that the content and messages of the sessions conducted were appropriate for their students and adhered to guidelines to respect the values of different religious groups. The schools did not receive any negative feedback from students or parents who attended the workshops and talks.
In particular, MOE has also not received any complaint from parents or Dr Thio Su Mien, who was reported to have made specific claims about sexuality education in our schools. MOE has contacted Dr Thio Su Mien to seek clarifications and facts to substantiate her claims. (read full release here)
Dr Thio revealed during a hastily-arranged interview by the new AWARE Exco last week that she was concerned about the neutral stance adopted by Aware’s comprehensive sexuality education programme (CSE) in schools towards homosexuality. (read article here)
This has led her to email fellow members of her Church and friends to join AWARE to change its direction:
“Aware is a woman’s organization which conducts comprehensive sexual programmes for girls and it runs this programme in some of the schools. They encourage girls to express their full sexuality and this includes experimenting with other girls. It would be a good idea to join it and change its focus to other problems of women and families.” (read rest of email here)
In her conversations with parents, she insinuated that AWARE’s sex education programme may lead to the promotion of same-sex marriages as an acceptable social norm in Singapore:
‘I started thinking, ‘Hey, parents, you better know what’s happening,” she said.
‘I talked to parents. I said: You better do something about this, otherwise your daughter will come back and say, ‘Mum, I want to marry my girlfriend.’
When pointed out that Aware’s programme was already in 30 schools, she said: ‘The suggestion is that in this programme, young girls from 12 to 18 are taught that it’s okay to experiment with each other.
‘And this is something which should concern parents in Singapore. Are we going to have an entire generation of lesbians?’
There is an obvious discrepancy between Dr Thio’s personal observation and the official release from MOE. If there are parents concerned about the programme, why didn’t MOE receive any complaints from them or Dr Thio in particular?
Senior Minister of State for Education S Iswaran also said there are guidelines in place for sexuality education programmes in schools and no parents have complained so far. (read article here)
He urged parties involved in the AWARE saga to get the facts right, before commenting on such programmes in schools. (read article here)
As a senior lawyer with many years of working experience, Dr Thio should have substantiated her claims before hurling unfounded accusations at the old AWARE exco for promoting a homosexual agenda.
Dr Thio’s original assertion about the CSE which prompted her to email fellow Church members to launch a takeover of AWARE is therefore both flawed and misinformed since no parents share the same sentiments as her.
We cannot have our school programmes being maligned and hijacked by scheming individuals to serve their own personal agenda which will undermine the public trust and confidence in Singapore’s education.
Dr Thio could have written to MOE to express her reservations about the programme if she is really troubled instead of airing her own personal views in public without concrete evidence to back them up.
MOE should consider taking appropriate legal actions against Dr Thio if she is unable or reluctant to produce a reasonable explanation for her words.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27734.137
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sha Najak sent a message to the members of TWC2.
Sha Najak sent a message to the members of TWC2.
Subject: Statement on AWARE
TWC2 is very concerned about the AWARE leadership takeover. AWARE has been an important important partner in our work to improve the welfare of migrant workers in Singapore and champion for their rights. AWARE has ensured that issues of discrimination against migrant domestic workers are not left out in the CEDAW report and has consulted us in preparing the shadow reports. We have also joined hands with AWARE through its White Ribbon Campaign to raise awareness of the issue of violence against migrant domestic workers. As an established organisation that runs an effective and structured helpline for women in distress, AWARE has been generous in sharing its expertise with nascent organisations such as TWC2. AWARE’s social worker and volunteers have helped us in training our volunteers to staff our helpline service for migrant workers. In addition, AWARE has also taken on issues concerning the vulnerabilities of foreign brides in Singapore and the trafficking of women and children for cross-border sex trade.
The above examples, show that AWARE is far from being a single-issue organisation obsessed with promoting homosexual issues. AWARE is a dynamic organisation that has stayed true to its core mission of championing for the rights of women underpinned by values such as inclusiveness. By advocating the issues concerning migrant domestic workers, foreign brides and trafficked women and children, AWARE has shown that it understands the multiple forms in which discrimination and marginalisation of women can take place as Singapore becomes more globalised. This is largely attributed to a competent leadership that truly understands the multiplicities of gender inequality and the complex social processes that underpin gender discrimination. If AWARE’s future stand to be shaped by a group of individuals that do not have a solid understanding of gender inequality and whose motivation is driven by a single-issue objective, we risk losing a valuable partner in our work. Singapore may also stand to lose as more than two decades of advocacy work that aim to tackle the roots of gender inequality may be lost because of a lack of vision.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27734.105
Subject: Statement on AWARE
TWC2 is very concerned about the AWARE leadership takeover. AWARE has been an important important partner in our work to improve the welfare of migrant workers in Singapore and champion for their rights. AWARE has ensured that issues of discrimination against migrant domestic workers are not left out in the CEDAW report and has consulted us in preparing the shadow reports. We have also joined hands with AWARE through its White Ribbon Campaign to raise awareness of the issue of violence against migrant domestic workers. As an established organisation that runs an effective and structured helpline for women in distress, AWARE has been generous in sharing its expertise with nascent organisations such as TWC2. AWARE’s social worker and volunteers have helped us in training our volunteers to staff our helpline service for migrant workers. In addition, AWARE has also taken on issues concerning the vulnerabilities of foreign brides in Singapore and the trafficking of women and children for cross-border sex trade.
The above examples, show that AWARE is far from being a single-issue organisation obsessed with promoting homosexual issues. AWARE is a dynamic organisation that has stayed true to its core mission of championing for the rights of women underpinned by values such as inclusiveness. By advocating the issues concerning migrant domestic workers, foreign brides and trafficked women and children, AWARE has shown that it understands the multiple forms in which discrimination and marginalisation of women can take place as Singapore becomes more globalised. This is largely attributed to a competent leadership that truly understands the multiplicities of gender inequality and the complex social processes that underpin gender discrimination. If AWARE’s future stand to be shaped by a group of individuals that do not have a solid understanding of gender inequality and whose motivation is driven by a single-issue objective, we risk losing a valuable partner in our work. Singapore may also stand to lose as more than two decades of advocacy work that aim to tackle the roots of gender inequality may be lost because of a lack of vision.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27734.105
The rising son
The rising son
Monday, 27 April 2009
Andrew Loh
The longest period that any political party in Singapore had gone without a secretary general was from 1963, when The Barisan Socialis’ secretary general, Lim Chin Siong, was incarcerated for “subversive” activities and eventually left politics altogether, and 1988, when the Barisan Socialis’ members joined the Workers’ Party. (Source)
25 years.
While nowhere near that length of time, the relatively new Reform Party (RP), founded by the late opposition veteran JB Jeyaretnam (JBJ), had also been without a secretary general – for the last seven months. JBJ passed away in September 2008 and the position had been vacant.
On 26 April 2009, however, after a vote of no-confidence in its chairman was successfully carried by a majority of the CEC, the Reform Party appointed JBJ’s son, Kenneth Jeyaretnam, as its new secretary general. James Teo, a long- time supporter and friend of the late JBJ and who was responsible for persuading Kenneth to join the RP, was appointed treasurer and Edmund Ng is the new party chairman.
Mr Ng Teck Siong told TOC he had also tendered his resignation from the party “completely”.
Before the vote of no confidence on 26 April, questions were already being asked about why no one was appointed secretary general since September of last year.
When Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam, 50, joined the RP in March of this year, it was expected that he would assume the position. But things have not worked out that way, and this latest resignation of its chairman is fueling speculation that more is happening in the Reform Party than meets the eye.
The Online Citizen asked the RP’s chairman, Ng Teck Siong, for a comment but he told TOC he would rather not speak on it for the moment and that he would be holding a press conference later. Kenneth Jeyaretnam too referred us to the press statement released by his party.
A check with the party’s website shows no listing of the Central Executive Committee.
So what is the road ahead for the party?
For a start, the party now has a secretary general and a chairman who will need to set the direction for the party. It is also believed that this will be a period of “house-cleaning” and healing of any rifts within the party. It is unclear who else might resign along with the chairman.
With Kenneth Jeyaretnam at the helm, the party looks set to chart a course leading to the next general elections. The party is expected to focus on bread and butter issues and the economy, as Jeyaretnam told the Associated Press on 10 April: “I want to create an image of economic competency of the opposition, meaning that I can advocate policies for economic prosperity and I can advocate better economic policies than the present government,” he said.
When he joined the RP, Jeyaretnam said he wanted to honour what his father stood for but that he will be his own man.
Now that he has assumed the role which his father previously held, Jeyaretnam has the opportunity to shape the party according to his beliefs in a way which will indeed honour his father.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27990.4
Monday, 27 April 2009
Andrew Loh
The longest period that any political party in Singapore had gone without a secretary general was from 1963, when The Barisan Socialis’ secretary general, Lim Chin Siong, was incarcerated for “subversive” activities and eventually left politics altogether, and 1988, when the Barisan Socialis’ members joined the Workers’ Party. (Source)
25 years.
While nowhere near that length of time, the relatively new Reform Party (RP), founded by the late opposition veteran JB Jeyaretnam (JBJ), had also been without a secretary general – for the last seven months. JBJ passed away in September 2008 and the position had been vacant.
On 26 April 2009, however, after a vote of no-confidence in its chairman was successfully carried by a majority of the CEC, the Reform Party appointed JBJ’s son, Kenneth Jeyaretnam, as its new secretary general. James Teo, a long- time supporter and friend of the late JBJ and who was responsible for persuading Kenneth to join the RP, was appointed treasurer and Edmund Ng is the new party chairman.
Mr Ng Teck Siong told TOC he had also tendered his resignation from the party “completely”.
Before the vote of no confidence on 26 April, questions were already being asked about why no one was appointed secretary general since September of last year.
When Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam, 50, joined the RP in March of this year, it was expected that he would assume the position. But things have not worked out that way, and this latest resignation of its chairman is fueling speculation that more is happening in the Reform Party than meets the eye.
The Online Citizen asked the RP’s chairman, Ng Teck Siong, for a comment but he told TOC he would rather not speak on it for the moment and that he would be holding a press conference later. Kenneth Jeyaretnam too referred us to the press statement released by his party.
A check with the party’s website shows no listing of the Central Executive Committee.
So what is the road ahead for the party?
For a start, the party now has a secretary general and a chairman who will need to set the direction for the party. It is also believed that this will be a period of “house-cleaning” and healing of any rifts within the party. It is unclear who else might resign along with the chairman.
With Kenneth Jeyaretnam at the helm, the party looks set to chart a course leading to the next general elections. The party is expected to focus on bread and butter issues and the economy, as Jeyaretnam told the Associated Press on 10 April: “I want to create an image of economic competency of the opposition, meaning that I can advocate policies for economic prosperity and I can advocate better economic policies than the present government,” he said.
When he joined the RP, Jeyaretnam said he wanted to honour what his father stood for but that he will be his own man.
Now that he has assumed the role which his father previously held, Jeyaretnam has the opportunity to shape the party according to his beliefs in a way which will indeed honour his father.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27990.4
Kenneth Jeyaretnam voted in as secretary-general of Reform Party
Kenneth Jeyaretnam voted in as secretary-general of Reform Party
Posted: 27 April 2009 1845 hrs
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 JB Jeyaretnam | ||||||
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SINGAPORE: Kenneth Jeyaretnam has been voted in as secretary-general of the Reform Party by its central executive committee.
The post was left vacant by his late father, veteran opposition politician JB Jeyaretnam, after his death in September last year.
The Reform Party was set up by Mr Jeyaretnam after he was discharged from bankruptcy in 2007, and it was registered in July 2008.
A statement from the Reform Party said the central executive committee also voted in Edmund Ng as chairman, and Teo Kian Chye as treasurer.
Former chairman Ng Teck Siong, in a separate statement, said he is stepping aside to allow for renewal within the party leadership.
- CNA/yt
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27990.3
Reform Party's new head
April 27, 2009
Reform Party's new head
By Kor Kian Beng & Jeremy Au Yong
A MONTH after joining the fledgling Reform Party founded by his father, hedge fund manager Kenneth Jeyaretnam has taken over as its secretary-general.
At the same time, a long-time ally of the late Mr J B Jeyaretnam and a co-founder of the party, quit after falling out with the younger Jeyaretnam.
The party issued a statement on Monday announcing the appointment of Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam as secretary-general, Mr Edmund Ng as interim chairman, and Mr James Teo Kian Chye as interim treasurer.
The statement also announced the resignation of Mr Ng Teck Siong as chairman following a vote of no confidence against him.
The latter, a long-time ally of the senior Jeyaretnam, told The Straits Times separately that he had quit the party completely.
Opposition sources say Mr Ng fell out of favour because he was slow in appointing a new secretary-general, the post held by Mr J B Jeyaretnam before he died of heart failure last September, two months after setting up the party.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27990.2
Reform Party's new head
By Kor Kian Beng & Jeremy Au Yong
A MONTH after joining the fledgling Reform Party founded by his father, hedge fund manager Kenneth Jeyaretnam has taken over as its secretary-general.
At the same time, a long-time ally of the late Mr J B Jeyaretnam and a co-founder of the party, quit after falling out with the younger Jeyaretnam.
The party issued a statement on Monday announcing the appointment of Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam as secretary-general, Mr Edmund Ng as interim chairman, and Mr James Teo Kian Chye as interim treasurer.
The statement also announced the resignation of Mr Ng Teck Siong as chairman following a vote of no confidence against him.
The latter, a long-time ally of the senior Jeyaretnam, told The Straits Times separately that he had quit the party completely.
Opposition sources say Mr Ng fell out of favour because he was slow in appointing a new secretary-general, the post held by Mr J B Jeyaretnam before he died of heart failure last September, two months after setting up the party.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27990.2
Chairman of Reform Party resigns, Kenneth Jeyaretnam is new Sec Gen
Chairman of Reform Party resigns, Kenneth Jeyaretnam is new Sec Gen
Monday, 27 April 2009
TOC understands that Mr Ng Teck Siong called an emergency meeting yesterday at 11.30am at the Reform Party’s office, where a vote of no confidence in the chairman was tabled. TOC understands the vote was passed by a majority of the CEC.
Mr Ng tendered his resignation this morning.
Speaking to TOC, Mr Ng said he has also tendered to resign from the party completely.
Below is the press release from the party:
The Reform Party
18A Smith Street Singapore 058932 Tel: 6534 9641
The Reform Party is delighted to announce that following a meeting of its Central Executive Committee on Sunday April 26th the following resolutions were passed.
- A vote of no confidence in Ng Teck Siong as Chairperson of the party was passed by a majority vote of the CEC
- Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam was appointed to the position of Secretary General of The Reform Party by a majority vote of the CEC
- Mr Edmund Ng was appointed to the post of chairperson of the Reform Party (interim) by a majority vote of the CEC
- Mr Teo Kian Chye was appointed to the post of Treasurer of the Reform Party ( interim) by a majority vote of the CEC
Edmund Ng, formerly Organising Secretary of the Reform Party said, “I’m honoured to have been selected for this role and to be working with the new senior officers of the CEC. Our new SG brings a breath of fresh air to politics in Singapore and a balanced and qualified voice to the opposition. Since joining the RP Kenneth has worked tirelessly on behalf of the Party bringing energy, direction and cohesion. His professional background, his academic qualifications and his immersion in the political issues of Singapore from a very young age enable him to bring to the Party a depth of knowledge and experience not often seen in opposition in Singapore. “
Teo Kian Chye, also stated that he felt honoured in the trust shown in him by the CEC on appointing him to the role of Treasurer. About his new SG he said, “We must remember that Kenneth has rejected a potentially lucrative career path in order to serve the people of Singapore. He had many options and we are delighted that he chose to join the Reform Party. He has been an example to all of us and I hope that many others will follow the path he has chosen.”
Kenneth Jeyaretnam said how pleased he was to have been appointed to the role of SG. “After choosing to go into politics various offers were put to me but the stated philosophy of the Reform Party,( ‘ that every member of the society is born with fundamental rights and that it is the paramount duty of the society to promote the human dignity of every single member’ ) most closely matched my own philosophy. I was touched by the public response to the announcement in the Press when I joined the Reform Party and the outpouring of support shown to me since. We have a lot of work going forward and it is humbling that so many people have demonstrated this level of confidence in me. I look forward to serving them. “
On Monday April 27th 2009 Mr Ng Teck Siong tendered his resignation as Chairperson to the new SG, Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam. Under Article 5 (vii) of the Party constitution this resignation will only become effective upon the acknowledgement in writing of the resignation by the Secretary-General of the Party.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27990.1
Monday, 27 April 2009
TOC understands that Mr Ng Teck Siong called an emergency meeting yesterday at 11.30am at the Reform Party’s office, where a vote of no confidence in the chairman was tabled. TOC understands the vote was passed by a majority of the CEC.
Mr Ng tendered his resignation this morning.
Speaking to TOC, Mr Ng said he has also tendered to resign from the party completely.
Below is the press release from the party:
The Reform Party
18A Smith Street Singapore 058932 Tel: 6534 9641
The Reform Party is delighted to announce that following a meeting of its Central Executive Committee on Sunday April 26th the following resolutions were passed.
- A vote of no confidence in Ng Teck Siong as Chairperson of the party was passed by a majority vote of the CEC
- Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam was appointed to the position of Secretary General of The Reform Party by a majority vote of the CEC
- Mr Edmund Ng was appointed to the post of chairperson of the Reform Party (interim) by a majority vote of the CEC
- Mr Teo Kian Chye was appointed to the post of Treasurer of the Reform Party ( interim) by a majority vote of the CEC
Edmund Ng, formerly Organising Secretary of the Reform Party said, “I’m honoured to have been selected for this role and to be working with the new senior officers of the CEC. Our new SG brings a breath of fresh air to politics in Singapore and a balanced and qualified voice to the opposition. Since joining the RP Kenneth has worked tirelessly on behalf of the Party bringing energy, direction and cohesion. His professional background, his academic qualifications and his immersion in the political issues of Singapore from a very young age enable him to bring to the Party a depth of knowledge and experience not often seen in opposition in Singapore. “
Teo Kian Chye, also stated that he felt honoured in the trust shown in him by the CEC on appointing him to the role of Treasurer. About his new SG he said, “We must remember that Kenneth has rejected a potentially lucrative career path in order to serve the people of Singapore. He had many options and we are delighted that he chose to join the Reform Party. He has been an example to all of us and I hope that many others will follow the path he has chosen.”
Kenneth Jeyaretnam said how pleased he was to have been appointed to the role of SG. “After choosing to go into politics various offers were put to me but the stated philosophy of the Reform Party,( ‘ that every member of the society is born with fundamental rights and that it is the paramount duty of the society to promote the human dignity of every single member’ ) most closely matched my own philosophy. I was touched by the public response to the announcement in the Press when I joined the Reform Party and the outpouring of support shown to me since. We have a lot of work going forward and it is humbling that so many people have demonstrated this level of confidence in me. I look forward to serving them. “
On Monday April 27th 2009 Mr Ng Teck Siong tendered his resignation as Chairperson to the new SG, Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam. Under Article 5 (vii) of the Party constitution this resignation will only become effective upon the acknowledgement in writing of the resignation by the Secretary-General of the Party.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27990.1
Net speculation about Singapore and Facebook warning
Net speculation about Singapore and Facebook warning
The internet can promote greater openness in countries like Singapore, writes Evgeny Morozov on the Foreign Policy website.
He also points to the dangers activists of any kind face on social networking websites like Facebook in his article, Why promoting democracy via the internet is often not a good idea.
The internet cannot make much of a difference in western democracies nor in "authoritarian" states like Russia and China, he says. But it can have greater impact on other countries, he writes:
Free and democratic states do gain from internet technologies, even though their impact is not most significant, as there is a limit as to how much technology could accomplish in countries that already have a vibrant civil society and well-functioning democratic institutions.
On the other hand, mixed regimes - those that are not outright authoritarian and have respect for some basic human rights (Singapore comes to mind as an example) - might stand to lose most from the proliferation of internet technologies, simply because the online mobilization benefits bestowed upon their nascent civil society could not be met by the equal degree of repression of activists – at least, not without the country losing its "mixed" status and becoming a dictatorship (which, in most cases, would also carry prohibitive economic costs).
The wording is curious: Why should a so-called "mixed regime" like Singapore lose from the growth of the internet? On the contrary, Singapore allows free internet access. And the talk of "repression" and "dictatorship" seems very far-fetched in the Singapore context. Singapore has a popularly elected government. But, yes, the internet has made a world of difference by providing new channels of information and interaction.
Morozov cautions about Facebook:
Facebook activism could also easily backfire for it has one inherent flaw: it allows authorities to quickly and easily identify all dissenters - even those who were willing to lend only their virtual support to the campaigns - and put them on their "to be watched closely" list (and then to actually rely on technology to carry out their surveillance).
The internet has not led to greater openness in Russia and China, he says:
Could it be that technology's impact actually helps bolster existing authoritarianism? Existing political structures have not been shaken (or even threatened) by any of the recent protests facilitated by technology; on the contrary, such governments have not only withstood these protests, they have also adapted very fast). The most sophisticated regimes – like China and Russia, for example – have even gone beyond mere defensive strategies and are actively experimenting with offensive strategies like spinning the Web to advance their own political ideologies by hiring paid internet commentators, for example.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27894.1
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