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TOC Interview – Consultation process is in place: Raffles principal

Principal addresses concerns in interview with TOC. By Choo Zheng Xi.

Published

16 years ago

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Choo Zheng Xi / Editor-in-Chief

In an interview with TOC, Mrs Lim Lai Cheng, the principal of Raffles Junior College highlighted what she called the ‘wide ranging stakeholder consultations’ the Raffles schools have conducted over the last year.

Mrs Lim was specifically addressing an earlier TOC article highlighting views from students and alumni who felt the consultation process was not thorough enough. (See here).

‘We started in April, holding separate feedback groups and discussions spanning the three Raffles Schools, with teachers, students and alumni. We called in an external facilitator to gather the feedback to ensure objectivity and I made it a point not to address the groups directly.’

‘Closer to the date, around August, we asked for more opinions from student leaders, parents committees and the Old Rafflesians Association. Before we sent our first press release out, we made sure we made the announcement in school, and sent the parents a letter informing them of the change. Information to the press was embargoed until we had told all our stakeholders, so the press knew last’.

Consultations continued after the 13th October announcement of merger to the press, in the form of an email asking for feedback on the change.

‘I even stayed back in the evenings in school over the exam period to talk to students and parents about the merger, and hung around the canteen during breaks asking students what they felt about the merger. I didn’t receive any negative feedback, apart from operational concerns’.

So why are there 2,200 members of a Facebook group set up to oppose the merger?

‘Not everyone on the group opposes the merger. Many are there for information from the dialogues we’ve been holding, which we’ve allowed the group leaders to publish. Actually, even I am on the group, together with my corporate communications team’.

Mrs Lim said she proactively tried to organize a separate dialogue session on the 24th October for the concerned Facebook group organizers after seeing them around school, but only a handful turned up.

Back to the future

Going into depth about the benefits the merger would bring, Mrs Lim said:

‘The merger is primarily to allow us to form a joint legal entity that will help us pool our resources. Most immediately, merger will allow us to have a better sense of our student’s academic needs under the current six-year Integrated Programme. We can also reach out to the students earlier in terms of electives and co-curricular activities.’

But some have questioned whether the schools would be sacrificing their identity for administrative efficiency.

In the interview, Mrs Lim pointed out that the merger would achieve the school’s long term strategic vision.

‘More importantly, with a six year programme, alumni will be anchored to a bigger community. There are many possibilities when these strong institutions come together. There are many other exciting long term strategic initiatives that we have in mind, but I’m currently not ready to share these with the press yet.’

Furthermore, she noted, the merger would not be “de-historicizing” the schools. In fact, placed in its historical context, a unified Raffles Institution has always been on the cards.

‘Since the pre-University classes left RI in 1981, there’s always been a hope that the Institution will come back together. When Raffles Institution went independent and moved in 1990, they actually chose Bishan because it was a site that would be big enough to accommodate a future joint campus with Raffles Junior College. When RJC moved to Bishan three years ago, this set the stage for closer collaboration with RI, especially over the integrated programme’.

Identities to be retained

The individual identities of the schools will be retained as far as possible, Mrs Lim maintained. The official name of the merged institution will be “Raffles Institution”, while the usage of the ‘junior college’ suffix will be for operational purposes.

‘Currently the name change to Raffles Institution (Secondary) is an operational one to distinguish it from the Junior College. Eventually, the school as a whole will be collectively known as Raffles Institution, although we’re going to retain the ‘Junior College’ name for as long as we need, for sentimental purposes’. (Clarification from RJC – Nov 13: “The college would like to clarify that with effect from 1 Jan 2009, the merged institution will be known as ‘Raffles Institution’.”)

Keeping traditions such as the position of the headmaster was also negotiable, Mrs Lim said.

She added that there are ‘no plans to change the school song’ to reflect the new school’s co-ed makeup.

While decisions on ‘operational matters’ such as maintaining traditions can be sought through consultation with the student body, Mrs Lim was clear that strategic decisions such as merging of both schools was ‘not something that can be decided by cohort’.

‘People are naturally uncomfortable with change, but it doesn’t mean they won’t be rational about the benefits it will bring’.

As for those who might still be unhappy over the merger? Mrs Lim had this to say:

‘Adapting to this change won’t be easy, but talking it through will definitely help. My door is always open’.

Feedback on the merger can be forwarded to [email protected]

———

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Indonesia

Miss Universe cuts ties with Indonesia chapter after harassment allegations

The Miss Universe Organization severs ties with Indonesia franchise due to harassment claims. Malaysia edition canceled.

Women allege body checks before pageant. Investigation launched. Safety prioritized.

Indonesia winner to compete in November finale. Height requirement controversy.

Published

1 year ago

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14 August 2023

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WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — The Miss Universe Organization has cut ties with its Indonesia franchise, it announced days after allegations of sexual harassment, and will cancel an upcoming Malaysia edition.

In the complaint, more than a half dozen women said all 30 finalists for Miss Universe Indonesia were unexpectedly asked to strip for a supposed body check for scars and cellulite two days before the pageant’s crowning ceremony in Jakarta.

Their lawyer said Tuesday that five of the women had their pictures taken.

“In light of what we have learned took place at Miss Universe Indonesia, it has become clear that this franchise has not lived up to our brand standards, ethics, or expectations,” the US-based Miss Universe Organization posted Saturday night on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.

It said that it had “decided to terminate the relationship with its current franchise in Indonesia, PT Capella Swastika Karya, and its National Director, Poppy Capella.”

It thanked the contestants for their bravery in coming forward and added that “providing a safe place for women” was the organization’s priority.

Jakarta police spokesman Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko said Tuesday that an investigation into the women’s complaint has been launched.

The Indonesia franchise also holds the license for Miss Universe Malaysia, where there will no longer be a competition this year, according to the New York-based parent organizer.

In a lengthy statement posted to Instagram, Indonesia franchise director Capella denied involvement in any body checks.

“I, as the National Director and as the owner of the Miss Universe Indonesia license, was not involved at all and have never known, ordered, requested or allowed anyone who played a role and participated in the process of organizing Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 to commit violence or sexual harassment through body checking,” she wrote.

She added that she is against “any form of violence or sexual harassment.”

The Jakarta competition was held from 29 July to 3 August to choose Indonesia’s representative to the 2023 Miss Universe contest, and was won by Fabienne Nicole Groeneveld.

Miss Universe said it would make arrangements for her to compete in the finale, scheduled for November in El Salvador.

This year’s Indonesia pageant also came under fire for announcing a “significant change in this (year’s) competition guidelines” with the elimination of its minimum height requirement after it had crowned a winner.

In its statement, the Miss Universe Organization said it wanted to “make it extremely clear that there are no measurements such as height, weight, or body dimensions required to join a Miss Universe pageant worldwide.”

— AFP

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Malaysia

A Perodua service centre in Kuantan, Malaysia went viral for its strict dress code, Perodua responds

A dress code for vehicle servicing? A Malaysian car brand’s service centre dress code signage has puzzled netizens, raising queries about the need for attire rules during a routine service.

The manufacturer responded with an official statement after a flurry of comments, seeking to clarify and apologize.

Published

1 year ago

on

10 August 2023

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MALAYSIA: A dress code signage positioned at a service centre belonging to a prominent Malaysian car brand has sparked bewilderment among Malaysian netizens, who question the necessity of adhering to attire guidelines for a simple vehicle servicing.

The signage explicitly delineates clothing items that are deemed unsuitable, including sleeveless tops, short skirts, abbreviated pants, and distressed jeans.

The car manufacturer swiftly found itself flooded with comments from both inquisitive and irked Malaysian netizens. This surge in online activity prompted the company to issue an official statement aimed at clarifying the situation and extending an apology.

In a post that gained significant traction on the social media platform, politician Quek Tai Seong of Pahang State, Malaysia, shared an image to Facebook on Monday (7 Aug).

The image showcased a dress code sign prominently displayed at a Perodua Service Centre in Kuantan. Within the post, Quek posed the question: “Is this dress code applicable nationwide, or is it specific to this branch?”

The signage reads, “All customers dealing with Perodua Service Kuantan 1, Semambu, are requested to dress modestly and appropriately.”

Adding visual clarity to these guidelines, the sign features illustrative graphics that explicitly outline clothing items deemed unacceptable, including sleeveless tops, short skirts, short pants, and ripped jeans.

Delineating the specifics of the dress code, the signage stipulates that male visitors are expected to don shirts accompanied by neckties, opt for long pants, and wear closed shoes.

Conversely, female visitors are advised to don long-sleeved shirts, full-length skirts, and closed-toe footwear.

Perodua’s dress code sparks online uproar

Following the rapid spread of the post, Perodua’s official Facebook page found itself inundated with comments from both intrigued and frustrated Malaysian netizens, all seeking clarifications about the newly surfaced dress code policy.

Amidst the flurry of comments, numerous incensed netizens posed pointed questions such as, “What is the rationale behind the introduction of such regulations by the management? We demand an explanation.”

Another netizen expressed their dissatisfaction, arguing against the necessity of the rule and urging Perodua to take inspiration from the practices of other 4S (Sales, Service, Spare Parts, and Survey) automotive dealerships.

A concerned Facebook user chimed in, advocating for a more lenient stance, asserting that attempting to dictate customers’ clothing choices might not be in the company’s best interest.

Someone also commented in an angry tone, “Oi what is this? Going there for car service, not interview or working, right.”

As the discourse unfolded, it became evident that while some inquiries carried genuine weight, others chose to inject humor into the situation, playfully remarking, “If I wanted to buy a Myvi, I should buy or rent a formal attire first.”

“I sell economy rice at a hawker centre, I have never worn a long sleeve shirt and a tie… I guess I will not buy a Perodua car then.”

“I guess they will not serve those who wear short pants.”

Perodua addresses dress code controversy

As reported by Chinese media outlet Sin Chew Daily News, the manager of Kuantan’s Perodua Service Centre had acknowledged that the images on the dress code signage were misleading.

In response, the manager divulged that discussions had transpired with the head office, leading to the prompt removal of the signage to prevent any further misconceptions.

The manager clarifies, “We do encourage visitors to adhere to the dress etiquette, but we won’t go to the extent of restricting their choice of attire.”

He also revealed that currently, no complaints have been directly received from the public.

However, feedback from certain customers was relayed through Perodua’s agents.

Perodua also released an official statement by chief operating officer JK Rozman Jaffar on Wednesday (9 Aug) regarding the dress code on their official Facebook page.

The statement stated the dress code etiquette is not aligned with their official guidelines and they are currently conducting an official investigation on the matter followed by corrective measures to avoid the same incident from happening.

Perodua also extends its apologies for any inconvenience caused.

 

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