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TO THE MUSIC The crowd started to gather as the evening sky began to break. Resembling a large tentage, the Grand Marquee at Hotel Fort Canning emitted an inviting purple glow which had the air of a 70s disco hall. An enticing buffet line serving appetisers has opened up for guests to snack on before the real show began. There were also nostalgic ice cream carts and hotdog stands outside. With these tasty treats in hand, mediators and guests mingled with one another as they looked forward to a night of singing, dancing and loads of fun.

CELEBRATE MEDIATION

it was the night of 1 December 2015 when the Community Mediation Centre (CMC) held its Mediators’ Appointment Ceremony and Appreciation Dinner. Organised annually, the purpose of this event is to appreciate and recognise the contributions of our volunteer mediators, who dedicated time and effort to attend to cases which are often complex and time-consuming. it was also an occasion when we bring together our mediators and guests to celebrate community mediation – and what is a celebration without a theme?

The mood at the event was infectious. Like excited concert goers, many of our mediators and guests were dressed up to the theme of the event – “A Music Festival: Singapore Swing”. We saw some dressed in hip-hop style, mandopop and rock and roll, just to name a few. Music has no boundaries and has the ability to bring people together in a unified way. This is similar to our aim at the CMC, where our mediators facilitate difficult conversations and help to bridge understanding between people in dispute, and help in mending the relationships marred by conflict and tension, so as to preserve social harmony.

SPECIAL ISSUE

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The event kicked off with a book launch by Guest-of-Honour, Senior Minister of State for Law and Finance, Ms Indranee Rajah, and CMC Advisor, Dr Lim Lan Yuan. Titled Mending Fences, Building Bridges, the book is a collection of 50 community stories by the community mediation fraternity, contributed by the CMC’s mediators, for Singapore’s Golden Jubilee. These stories shed some light on the social and community conflicts in Singapore and share on valuable lessons that one can learn from our mediators’ experiences and perspectives on the successful resolution of such conflicts.

During dinner, everyone ate and chatted while a group of performers entertained the crowd with a medley of songs in various dialects and languages ranging from Cantonese, Hokkien, Thai, Spanish to Burmese. Sounds of cheerful singing wafted in the air and drummed up the atmosphere to one of a happy community concert.The emcee also took the crowd through games such as Bingo, a “paper plane flying” competition, and of course, more music to live up to the theme of the night. With Guess That Song, guests were made to listen and name the song titles where songs from the likes of ABBA, Grease soundtrack and Michael Jackson were played. Some boldly took the stage and (tried to) danced to Jackson’s classic hit, Billie Jean. Their quirky impersonations and dance moves brought more laughter and good vibes continued through the night.

The event was memorable not just for those who received awards or had their minute of fame participating in stage games. Some newly-appointed mediators like Mdm Annu Ratha, enjoyed the event mainly because it gave her an opportunity to share her happiness and achievement with her family and fellow mediators who became her friends. “I’m glad my dad was here with me tonight!” shared Mdm Annu enthusiastically. “Tonight was a very meaningful night for me, and I’m happy he was here to witness my accomplishment.”

To the ones who have the heart to serve the community, the ones who continue to “mend fences” and “build bridges”, here’s to you!“ ” 4

In Ms Indranee’s opening address, she thanked the mediators for their commitment to the CMC, and highlighted the mediators’ effort in “mending fences” and “building bridges” for better relationships and understanding between disputing parties, so that they can work towards a harmonious relationship again after a conflict. Ms Indranee also presented certificates to more than 100 newly-appointed, re-appointed and promoted mediators, and gave out awards to close to 30 mediators who have rendered distinguished service, including outstanding newcomers.

Ms Indranee also announced the CMC’s selection of 26 Tribunal Mediators who will mediate cases ordered by the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals. They are:

Mr Ameerali AbdealiMr Ang Kiat Seng JeffreyMr Chew Yew Kuen MichaelMrs Chia Swee TinMr Choo Yuen Chiah TommyMr G. Anthony SamyMadam Giam Lay Eng MarcellinaMr Gopala KrishnanMadam Kamaria Binte DjorimiMr Kee Hung Cheng StevenMr Lee Kok EngMr Lim Heng Meng FrancisDr Lim Lan Yuan

“ ”“This once-a-year event is a chance to for me to meet up with people whom I hardly get to see outside of work. The highlight of tonight is the companionship of my fellow mediators.”

- Master Mediator, Mr Anthony Samy

- Master Mediator, Mdm Kadariah Maunah

Mr Loo Sin Chong FrancisMr Ma Poh HowMr Ng Lee Chye JohnMr Ng Ngiap Khiang FrancisMr Pang Loo SengMr Poh Tiong BeeMr Poh Yong Meng StephenMr P. Thirunal KarasuMr Ramachandran PerumalMr V. KrishnaMr Wee Pang KiatMr Wong Ngiam Chin EricMr Wong Yuk Fong

“The CMC has done a fantastic job! They’ve put in a lot of effort to plan this annual event and every year has a different theme. I’ve never missed any one of it!”

Visit our website’s gallery to view more photos!

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Master Mediator Mr Ameerali AbdealiMr Anand K. ThiagarajanMr Ang Kiat Seng JeffreyMr Ang Swee Nam AlecMr Chandra Sekaran PillaiMr Chew Yew Kuen MichaelMrs Chia Swee TinMr Choo Yuen Chiah TommyMr Foo F.Y. PatrickMr G. Anthony SamyMadam Giam Lay Eng MarcellinaMr Goh Sioh ChinMr Gopala KrishnanMs Ho Mui Kin LilioMadam Kadariah MaunahMadam Kamaria Binte DjorimiMr Kee Hung Cheng StevenMr Koh Swee ChiokMr Krishna Ramakrishna SharmaMr Lee Kok EngMs Lela KaurMr Leong Jong Pin JamesMr Lim Heng Meng FrancisMr Loo Sin Chong FrancisMr Low Lee Hean EdmundMr Ma Poh HowMr Ng Chin Cheong SimonMr Ng Lee Chye JohnMr Ng Ngiap Khiang FrancisMr Ng Yong Ern RaymondMr Pang Loo SengMr Poh Tiong BeeMr Poh Yong Meng StephenMr Ramachandran PerumalMr Tan Wu ChengMr Teo Hung Hiong WilliamMr Thian Boon Kwang RolandMadam Uma Devi d/o SumeshwarMr Wee Pang KiatMr Wong Weng Kee DavidMs Wong Yat Men GraceMr Wong Yuk FongMr Yong Chiang Boon

MediatorMr Arunachala Thevar BaskaranMr Balasamy RengarajooMr Chan Kai LerMr Chong Kia KhinMr Er Swee NguanMr Gan Chun Kiat KennyMr Gan Ong PengMr Ganesan S/O KulandaiMr Goh Han Hian AnthonyMr Goh Hock Leng AdrianMr Goh Miah MengMr Goh Peng HongDr Jayarani TanDr Joshua VM KumaMr Jufri bin OsmanMr Lau Kim Sui AndyMadam Lau Yan Yong ChristinaMr Lee Boon Yew JamesMr Lee Poh LengMr Lee Wai Pang KelvinMr Lim Chee KongMs Lim Kee Chiok JennyMr Lim Kian Kok LeonardMr Lim Sing Lip PhilipMr Loh Choong SengMr Low Chee Khan JasonMr M.Y. Mohamed RafeeqMr Mohamed Feroz Bin Abdul HamidMadam Neo Ah Kwai JenniferMr Phan Kim Huat PeterMr Poh Heo Tat ArthurMr Quek Tee DhyeMr Rajendren s/o RamaswamyMs Sabiha Shiraz HusainMr Sarjit SinghMr Seah Yee Men VincentMr Selvakumar Simon s/o SilvarajMr Sunil RaiMs Tan Keow Mui CindyMr Tan Lam SiongMr Tan Ngee Min EricMr Teo Beng Ghee JimmyMadam Wong Siew Yin JuneMadam Wong Suet Mui AliceMadam Yeo Hwee Koon LenaMadam Yeo Kim Neo JosephineMr Yoong Wee Sen Alfred

Madam Annu Ratha JayaramMr Cheong Aik ChyeMr Cheong Kwee ThiamMr Chew Seng Chye, BenMr Chiang Joon Heng, StevenMr Chua Guang Long BenjaminMr Khng Joo Seng GeorgeMrs Kum DianeMr Lau Jun Tian TerenceMr Lau Kim BooMadam Lau Vun Ping VeronMr Lee Chuan Guan

Mr Leong Choy Thim AlbertMadam Lim Hwa Hiang SandyMadam Lim Moh Tin RosemaryMs Lin Youshan EleanorMr Low Chia Leong StevenMs Low Hwee Tian, CatherineMr Meyyappan SaravananMs Michelle WoodworthMr Mustafalhafi bin AfandiMr Ng Pak ShunMr Toh Soon Hee, WilfredMr Yeo Peng Keng Steven

Outstanding Newcomers

The top 2 mediators who have mediated the most number of cases in their first term of appointment (i.e. 3 years).

Mr Jayems Dhingra Mr Ma Keow Yuen

Promoted Mediators

Mediators who met the criteria to be advanced to a higher tier, based on the Mediator Management Framework. 4 mediators were promoted.

Mr V. KrishnaPromoted from Master Mediator to Executive Master Mediator

Ms Chiang Ah ChooPromoted from Mediator to Master Mediator

Mr Lim Teck Whai TerencePromoted from Mediator to Master Mediator

Madam Vataramathi Ramanatha KurukkalPromoted from Mediator to Master Mediator

15th, 10th and 5th Year Appreciation Awards

Mediators are eligible for appreciation awards when they have completed 5, 10 and 15 years of volunteer service with the CMC. 21 mediators received such awards.

15th Year Appreciation AwardMr Chew Yew Kuen MichaelMr Goh Han Hian AnthonyMr Lau Kim Sui AndyMr Leong Jong Pin JamesMr Ma Poh HowMr Pang Loo SengMr Tan Ngee Min EricMr Teo Hung Hiong WilliamMadam Uma Devi d/o SumeshwarMr Wee Pang KiatMadam Wong Suet Mui AliceMr Wong Yuk Fong

10th Year Appreciation AwardMr Ameerali AbdealiMr Er Swee NguanDr Joshua VM KumaMr Lee Boon Yew JamesMr Lim Teck Whai TerenceMr Ng Ngiap Khiang FrancisMr Teo Beng Ghee Jimmy

5th Year Appreciation AwardMr Balasamy RengarajooMr Tan Lam Siong

Re-appointed Mediators

Mediators who met the criteria to be re-appointed, based on the Mediator Management Framework. 90 mediators were re-appointed with effect from 1 August 2015.

Newly-appointed Mediators

Apprentice mediators who have observed a mediation session and co-mediated at least two mediation sessions successfully will be appointed as Community Mediators. 24 mediators were appointed with effect from 1 August 2015.

Congratulationsonce again!

Distinguished Service Award

Mediators who are top performers, based on years of service, total caseload since their first appointment and overall success rate. 4 mediators received this award.

Mr Ang Swee Nam AlecMr Kee Hung Cheng StevenMr Ma Poh HowMr P. Thirunal Karasu

*These winners have been contacted separately.

Congratulations to last issue’s quiz winners*!

Muhd Syawal Bin Yusoff, Agri-Food & Veterinary AuthorityShirley Ng, Ministry of LawIvan Ong, CMC Apprentice Mediator

Community Mediation Unit • Ministry of Law45 Maxwell Road, #07-11 The URA Centre (East Wing), Singapore 069118 1800 2255 529 OneMinLaw@mlaw.gov.sg www.mlaw.gov.sg/cmc

She’s taking MY cleaning spray without asking for permission AGAIN!

The spray is meant to be shared!!

If you weren’t so rude, I would’ve been happy to share it with you!

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The comic below depicts a dispute between two people that can be resolved with the use of mediation.

1. Mending Fences, Building Bridges is a collection of 50 stories which… a ) shares mediators’ experiences and perspectives on unsuccessful resolution of conflicts. b) shares mediators’ experiences and perspectives on successful resolution of conflicts. c ) shares mediators’ experiences and perspectives on the requisites for successful mediation.

2. The Mediators’ Appointment Ceremony and Appreciation Dinner was titled: a ) A Music Festival: Singapore Sings b) A Dance Festival: Singapore Swing c ) A Music Festival: Singapore Swing

Through mediation, both of them acknowledged their mistakes.

Both agreed to compromise for a better working relationship!

Sally’s response made Paul angry.

win-winWant to win $30 worth of FairPrice vouchers?We will be giving the vouchers to three lucky winners who can answer these questions correctly! (Hint: All the answers can be found in this issue.)

Email your answers with the subject title “CMC Quiz 2016 Issue 1” to: cmc.quiz@gmail.com

Each person is only allowed to win this contest once. Contest closes on 19 Feb 2016 and winners will be contacted.

Sally and Paul are cleaners working in the same school. One day...

Yours??! Did you pay for it?! Is your name on it?!

I should’ve asked for permission.

I shouldn’t have pushed you, let me pay for the medical bills.

Why did you take my spray??

CASE-IN-COMIC3.

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