Looks like its a bigger challenge for our former head of civil service to run a club. Maybe detention without trial, prosecution under the official secrets act, Internal Security Guards Dept (IS(G)D may be the way to go. Also high nomination fee to stand for committee elections, race quota (GRC) might also help.
It certainly helped the PAP to control dissent, differing views and motion of no confidence can never be carried out in the Parliament.
Consider also engaging SPH journalist to handle communications.
Conrad Raj
editor-at-large
THE constant bickering at the swanky Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) has once again become a cause of concern for its chairman, former top civil servant Koh Yong Guan.
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Writing in the December issue of the club’s news magazine, The Islander, Mr Koh said: “As the year ends, what concerns me most is the deteriorating public image and reputation of the club in the eyes of Singapore ...”
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In the past year or so, the club, the golfing and meeting place of the rich and the powerful, has been embroiled in various law suits.
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They included one by member Madam Kay Swee Pin, 54, who had appealed successfully against her suspension in 2006 over her marital status.
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Mr Koh said he had “expressed my continuing concerns on this to the President and asked him and the GC (General Committee) to take steps to address this blemish and to restore SICC’s standing as the premier club of Singapore”.
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However, the club’s then president, businessman John Kirkham, was forced to step down after some members threatened to call an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to vote on a motion of no confidence in him.
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Mr Koh, who is appointed to his post by the club’s landlord, the Public Utilities Board, said that once members of the GC, the club’s governing body, have been elected for their respective terms, they must be left to do their work.
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“Members should check them on their key performances and through the budget at the right time and in the right forum,” he said, in an obvious reference to the numerous calls for EGMs by members over various issues.
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Mr Koh also urged the GC to hold more regular dialogue sessions with members to provide “for constructive views to be discussed and debated in a responsible way”.
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“On the other hand, EGMs as a regular feature are not the best alternative and must be avoided unless they are absolutely necessary.
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“EGMs are time-consuming and costly to organise for the club,” he said.
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Mr Koh also disclosed that the club had decided to defer the second phase of its upgrading programme as costs had almost doubled from the $60 million it had budgeted in April 2007.
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Over at the Singapore Swimming Club, there will be an EGM on Feb 1 to discuss and vote on a motion of no confidence — signed by 89 members — in club president Freddie Koh for allegedly exercising executive function and micromanaging the club.
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The disgruntled members are also unhappy with the club’s settlement of three lawsuits for $55,000 and the high prices of food and beverage.
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In response, 419 members, who feel that the above action is “disruptive and disturbing to the welfare and peace of the club”, are calling for a motion of confidence on the president and this will be heard on the same evening.
It certainly helped the PAP to control dissent, differing views and motion of no confidence can never be carried out in the Parliament.
Consider also engaging SPH journalist to handle communications.
Conrad Raj
editor-at-large
THE constant bickering at the swanky Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) has once again become a cause of concern for its chairman, former top civil servant Koh Yong Guan.
.
Writing in the December issue of the club’s news magazine, The Islander, Mr Koh said: “As the year ends, what concerns me most is the deteriorating public image and reputation of the club in the eyes of Singapore ...”
.
In the past year or so, the club, the golfing and meeting place of the rich and the powerful, has been embroiled in various law suits.
.
They included one by member Madam Kay Swee Pin, 54, who had appealed successfully against her suspension in 2006 over her marital status.
.
Mr Koh said he had “expressed my continuing concerns on this to the President and asked him and the GC (General Committee) to take steps to address this blemish and to restore SICC’s standing as the premier club of Singapore”.
.
However, the club’s then president, businessman John Kirkham, was forced to step down after some members threatened to call an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to vote on a motion of no confidence in him.
.
Mr Koh, who is appointed to his post by the club’s landlord, the Public Utilities Board, said that once members of the GC, the club’s governing body, have been elected for their respective terms, they must be left to do their work.
.
“Members should check them on their key performances and through the budget at the right time and in the right forum,” he said, in an obvious reference to the numerous calls for EGMs by members over various issues.
.
Mr Koh also urged the GC to hold more regular dialogue sessions with members to provide “for constructive views to be discussed and debated in a responsible way”.
.
“On the other hand, EGMs as a regular feature are not the best alternative and must be avoided unless they are absolutely necessary.
.
“EGMs are time-consuming and costly to organise for the club,” he said.
.
Mr Koh also disclosed that the club had decided to defer the second phase of its upgrading programme as costs had almost doubled from the $60 million it had budgeted in April 2007.
.
Over at the Singapore Swimming Club, there will be an EGM on Feb 1 to discuss and vote on a motion of no confidence — signed by 89 members — in club president Freddie Koh for allegedly exercising executive function and micromanaging the club.
.
The disgruntled members are also unhappy with the club’s settlement of three lawsuits for $55,000 and the high prices of food and beverage.
.
In response, 419 members, who feel that the above action is “disruptive and disturbing to the welfare and peace of the club”, are calling for a motion of confidence on the president and this will be heard on the same evening.
