29 November 2008

Form: Feedback for Credit & Debit Cards

Form URL: https://www.dbs.com/contact/cards/


Reply:

Dear Mr XXX

Thank you for your feedback of 28 November 2008 and we appreciates your
concerns.

Our charity partner, Focus on the Family (Singapore) is a non religious
and non political organisation. It is a voluntary welfare organisation
supported and endorsed by the National Family Council and the Ministry
of Community Development, Youth and Sports in Singapore. Socially
responsible corporate citizens such as MediaCorp, Far East Group, to
name a few, have also supported its community programmes.

The contribution from DBS will go towards supporting the children's
programmes in Singapore. This is part of our efforts at DBS to support
families and children during this festive period. We have supported
various local charities in the past such as The Children's Society
during Christmas in 2006.

DBS will continue to play its part to support the community at large and
we hope to have your kind understanding and support.


Yours sincerely
XXXXX XXX
Customer Care & Feedback Management
Consumer Banking Group
DBS Bank Ltd


My reply:

Dear Ms. XXXXX,

I shall highlight that Focus on Family Singapore is founded by Dr. James Dobson, part of the international Focus on Family organization. A fast Google on his name will lead you to the facts that he is indeed a clearly influential and evangelical Christian with conservative views on theology and politics in the United States. So in rebuttal to the first point, it is strongly and firmly an organization rooted in Christian values.

The endorsement by National Family Council and Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports does not nullify that fact. In actuality, it is also a very weak argument as many groups are under the umbrella of Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports regardless of it being a religious organization.

Mediacorp and Far East Group's endorsement is irrelevant to your endorsement of Focus on the Family and does not concern me. I am not a shareholder of either commercially listed companies, but my funds are parked in your bank, and the fact that I have a stake in your bank, I should be given a more satisfactory explanation as to the way my funds are handled, especially if they are in support of causes that are contrary to my personal beliefs.

Please look at the following sites and see what Focus on Family advocates for:
http://www.christianmentalhealth.com/Singapore.htm
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/socialissues/sexual_identity.aspx

I understand the corporate social responsibilities of DBS and applaud your previous efforts in helping these societies, but why did you choose such a society when there are so many others more worthy of your help? Your choice not only undermines and degrades a part of your customer base but also goes against the grain of a secular, open and accepting society. I am truly, deeply disturbed and disappointed by your response.

I would like to know how I can go about closing my accounts and I will be strongly urging all my friends and relatives to do the same. Thank you.

Yours Sincerely,
XXX XXXXXXX

D woke up at 11/29/2008 11:59:00 PM [comment]

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