http://kentridgecommon.com/?p=3314
The Kent Ridge Common, 18 May 2009, Kelvin Teo
Methodist Welfare Services needs to clarify
SINGAPORE - It has now emerged that a board member of the Methodist Welfare Services, Mr Tongel Yeo, has written an email to four major legal bodies - The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), the Law Society, the Singapore Corporate Counsel Association (SCCA) and the Singapore Academy of Law, seeking clarifications on whether NMP Siew Kum Hong had contravened the Legal Profession Act. Mr Siew has since responded with confidence that he has not breached any regulations. He has pointed out that even all trained lawyers state their views of what the law in a specific situation would be, in the context and capacity other than being an advocate or solicitor (in reference to section 33 of the Legal Professions Act).
However, the piece of knowledge that a board member of the Methodist Welfare Services, a religious-affiliated organization, was involved could have wide-ranging ramifications. This could lead to speculations on the involvement or non-involvement of the organization in the run-up to Mr Siew’s application for his second term as a Nominated Member of Parliament.
Thus, I sent an email to the Methodist Welfare Services seeking an understanding of its position in this issue. A copy of the email is appended below:
From: Kelvin Teo
Date: Mon, May 18, 2009 at 12:45 AM
Subject: Seeking an understanding from the Methodist Welfare Services regarding its board member’s engagement in the issue involving NMP Siew Kum Hong
To: Methodist Welfare Services
Dear esteemed members of the Methodist Welfare Services:
I am Kelvin Teo, a writer for the Kent Ridge Common, an independent online publication run by both NUS students and alumni. I refer to the article titled “Questions over Siew Kum Hong’s role as AWARE ‘legal adviser’” published in TODAY on 15 May 2009. I understand that Mr Tongel Yeo, a member of the board of Methodist Welfare Services has sent an email seeking clarifications on whether Mr Siew had contravened the Legal Profession Act “by rendering pro-bono legal advisory work” during his participation in the events at AWARE. The email was sent to four bodies: The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), the Law Society, the Singapore Corporate Counsel Association (SCCA) and the Singapore Academy of Law. Mr Siew has since responded that he was confident of not breaching any regulations. He was not acting as an advocate or a solicitor for the old guards of AWARE in a court of law during the AWARE extraordinary general meeting in 2 May 2009 (referring to Section 33 of the Legal Professions Act).
The timing of Mr Yeo’s email somehow coincided with the current period in which the government is considering the line-up of potential candidates for Nominated Members of Parliament. It is known that Mr Siew has applied for a second term. I have noted that according to the article by TODAY, Mr Yeo currently sits on your board. The implications of this piece of knowledge is obvious, and this could lead to speculations on the Methodist Welfare Services’ involvement or non-involvement in the current process with regards to Mr Siew’s application for a second term.
The AWARE saga was started by a group of women from the Church of Our Saviour suddenly taking over AWARE’s leadership. The Church of Our Saviour, as we all know promotes a negative view of homosexuality. It is fair to say that the height of the AWARE saga resulted in a polarization of debate to a secular versus religious one within AWARE and the public. Mr Derek Hong, the senior pastor of the Church of Our Saviour also used the pulpit to drum up support for his church members who made up AWARE’s leadership then. Dr John Chew of the National Council of Churches (NCCS) subsequently issued a clear statement that it does not condone churches getting involved in the events of AWARE. And Mr Hong has since apologized for misusing the pulpit. Mr Wong Kan Seng, Minister for Home Affairs has categorically stated there will be trouble if religious groups campaign to change certain government policies or use the pulpit to mobilize their followers to pressurize the government at the expense of other groups. Mr Wong was clear on his stand that religion should be kept clear from the political process. The appointment or re-appointment of a Nominated Member of Parliament is an example of such a political process.
Thus, I am writing this email to seek an understanding of the Methodist Welfare Services’ position in the issue involving Mr Yeo’s engagement with Mr Siew, particularly in seeking clarifications on the latter’s work with AWARE. Specifically, does the Methodist Welfare Services condone Mr Yeo’s engagement or is Mr Yeo acting in his personal capacity independent of the organization? It will also be interesting to know the Methodist Welfare Services’ stand on its board members’ participation in the political process in Singapore.
Just for your information, I have taken the liberty to put up a copy of this email at the Kent Ridge Common accessible at http://kentridgecommon.com/?p=3314. I hope to hear from you soon. Your response will be appended to the original article accessible at the aforementioned weblink. Have a great week ahead. Thank you and best regards.
Sincerely yours,
Kelvin Teo
-------------------------------------
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The Kent Ridge Common, 18 May 2009, Kelvin Teo
Methodist Welfare Services needs to clarify
SINGAPORE - It has now emerged that a board member of the Methodist Welfare Services, Mr Tongel Yeo, has written an email to four major legal bodies - The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), the Law Society, the Singapore Corporate Counsel Association (SCCA) and the Singapore Academy of Law, seeking clarifications on whether NMP Siew Kum Hong had contravened the Legal Profession Act. Mr Siew has since responded with confidence that he has not breached any regulations. He has pointed out that even all trained lawyers state their views of what the law in a specific situation would be, in the context and capacity other than being an advocate or solicitor (in reference to section 33 of the Legal Professions Act).
However, the piece of knowledge that a board member of the Methodist Welfare Services, a religious-affiliated organization, was involved could have wide-ranging ramifications. This could lead to speculations on the involvement or non-involvement of the organization in the run-up to Mr Siew’s application for his second term as a Nominated Member of Parliament.
Thus, I sent an email to the Methodist Welfare Services seeking an understanding of its position in this issue. A copy of the email is appended below:
From: Kelvin Teo
Date: Mon, May 18, 2009 at 12:45 AM
Subject: Seeking an understanding from the Methodist Welfare Services regarding its board member’s engagement in the issue involving NMP Siew Kum Hong
To: Methodist Welfare Services
Dear esteemed members of the Methodist Welfare Services:
I am Kelvin Teo, a writer for the Kent Ridge Common, an independent online publication run by both NUS students and alumni. I refer to the article titled “Questions over Siew Kum Hong’s role as AWARE ‘legal adviser’” published in TODAY on 15 May 2009. I understand that Mr Tongel Yeo, a member of the board of Methodist Welfare Services has sent an email seeking clarifications on whether Mr Siew had contravened the Legal Profession Act “by rendering pro-bono legal advisory work” during his participation in the events at AWARE. The email was sent to four bodies: The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), the Law Society, the Singapore Corporate Counsel Association (SCCA) and the Singapore Academy of Law. Mr Siew has since responded that he was confident of not breaching any regulations. He was not acting as an advocate or a solicitor for the old guards of AWARE in a court of law during the AWARE extraordinary general meeting in 2 May 2009 (referring to Section 33 of the Legal Professions Act).
The timing of Mr Yeo’s email somehow coincided with the current period in which the government is considering the line-up of potential candidates for Nominated Members of Parliament. It is known that Mr Siew has applied for a second term. I have noted that according to the article by TODAY, Mr Yeo currently sits on your board. The implications of this piece of knowledge is obvious, and this could lead to speculations on the Methodist Welfare Services’ involvement or non-involvement in the current process with regards to Mr Siew’s application for a second term.
The AWARE saga was started by a group of women from the Church of Our Saviour suddenly taking over AWARE’s leadership. The Church of Our Saviour, as we all know promotes a negative view of homosexuality. It is fair to say that the height of the AWARE saga resulted in a polarization of debate to a secular versus religious one within AWARE and the public. Mr Derek Hong, the senior pastor of the Church of Our Saviour also used the pulpit to drum up support for his church members who made up AWARE’s leadership then. Dr John Chew of the National Council of Churches (NCCS) subsequently issued a clear statement that it does not condone churches getting involved in the events of AWARE. And Mr Hong has since apologized for misusing the pulpit. Mr Wong Kan Seng, Minister for Home Affairs has categorically stated there will be trouble if religious groups campaign to change certain government policies or use the pulpit to mobilize their followers to pressurize the government at the expense of other groups. Mr Wong was clear on his stand that religion should be kept clear from the political process. The appointment or re-appointment of a Nominated Member of Parliament is an example of such a political process.
Thus, I am writing this email to seek an understanding of the Methodist Welfare Services’ position in the issue involving Mr Yeo’s engagement with Mr Siew, particularly in seeking clarifications on the latter’s work with AWARE. Specifically, does the Methodist Welfare Services condone Mr Yeo’s engagement or is Mr Yeo acting in his personal capacity independent of the organization? It will also be interesting to know the Methodist Welfare Services’ stand on its board members’ participation in the political process in Singapore.
Just for your information, I have taken the liberty to put up a copy of this email at the Kent Ridge Common accessible at http://kentridgecommon.com/?p=3314. I hope to hear from you soon. Your response will be appended to the original article accessible at the aforementioned weblink. Have a great week ahead. Thank you and best regards.
Sincerely yours,
Kelvin Teo
-------------------------------------
Latest updates at Singapore News Alternative:
1. Singapore’s times are finally changing
2. Why Singaporeans do well in math
3. Singapore Exports Decline as Electronics Shipments Extend Slump
4. Methodist Welfare Services targets NMP Siew Kum Hong
5. Singapore SMEs turn to bartering
6. Singaporeans enticed to get married via Facebook race
7. Singapore Retail Sales Fall a Sixth Month as Job Losses Climb
Latest videos added:
1. Obama weekly address on youtube - 15 May 09
2. MM Lee speaking at Infosys' founder book launch on 11 May
3. Pinkdot.sg at Hong Lim Park
4. CNBC: Temasek's loss of $4.9 b ln dollars 'one of the worst investment'
.
