Tanglin Club president, seven others quit panel

Tanglin Club president, seven others quit panel

SINGAPORE - Tanglin Club president Sim Yong Chan and seven others have resigned from the club's general committee, citing concern about the "serious risk of disharmony" among members.

This latest blow to the club comes after a special general meeting last month shot down moves to outsource the club's food and beverage outlets.

The meeting was triggered by the club starting talks with popular Chinese restaurant chain Din Tai Fung to take over Tangles, the club's sports bar and restaurant.

It was disclosed at the meeting that Tangles was making a loss of $250,000 a year.

Mr Sim had supported the outsourcing. But the Dec 21 meeting banned it, with 268 members for the ban and 154 against it. The vote also overturned a Sept 30 poll approving a proposal to spend $2 million to renovate Tangles.

The eight general committee members said in a joint letter on Wednesday that they had reflected on the outcome of the meeting and the views expressed by members.

"We have become increasingly concerned that the overall atmosphere in the club has reached a state such that there is a growing and serious risk of disharmony among the membership," they wrote.

The group said that it had resigned "in the interests of the club" so the term of the current general committee can be brought to an end and new elections can take place.

With the group's departure, there are only two members remaining, according to the club's website.

As they form fewer than the five required for a quorum, they will have to call a special general meeting as soon as possible, at which they will resign and the process of electing a new committee can begin.

It is understood that the new committee will serve the remainder of the current term until May, when fresh elections will be called at the club's annual general meeting.

Club members yesterday expressed surprise at the resignations, with some saying that the group should not have been discouraged.

"Members serve as unpaid volunteers. It is not easy for people to come forward and I hope it will not deter others from taking up the roles," said club member Cho Pei Lin.

Contacted yesterday, Mr Sim said: "This is a private matter and the decision to step down was taken as a group."

The club in Stevens Road has about 5,800 members.

vijayan@sph.com.sg


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