Singapore is a country which takes racial harmony really seriously. Even in primary schools, we’re told that the bedrock of Singapore is harmony between the races.
So when something is created to disrupt the balance? Nobody’s going to defend you.
As Preetipls has experienced.
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Flashback:
The entire incident was sparked by this advertisement for E-Pay.
It features Dennis Chew, the celebrity/radio DJ who’s 45 but looks 25, who became the face for four races.
Netizens were triggered as it was considered “brownface”, including Preetipls, who decided to make a rap video dissing the advertisement.
Unfortunately for her, her video wasn’t appreciated.
A police report was lodged and Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam spoke up about her response video.
“If something you didn’t like, then you ask for an apology. If you think it is criminal, you make a police report. You don’t yourself cross the line.”
And now, even Member of Parliaments (MPs) from the ethnic-minority race have spoken up about it.
“Two Wrongs Don’t Make A Right”
Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport & Ministry of Communications and Information was the first to voice out.
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He felt that both the advertisement and the rap was unacceptable.
He suggested that the people behind the advertisement should go through training to understand more about “ethnic considerations, cultural sensitivity and how to apologise sincerely“.
As for the Nair siblings, he referred to one of the lines in their video: Two wrongs don’t make a right.
It was too bad they didn’t listen to themselves.
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“Totally Offensive & Uncalled For”
Zaqy Mohamad, Minister of State for the Ministry of National Development & Ministry of Manpower had this to say:
The original advertisement was insensitive. The siblings’ rap video was “offensive and uncalled for”.
He asks that every Singaporean, no matter from the majority race or the minority ones, to show each other their due respect, consideration and graciousness.
“Just Because It Rhymes Doesn’t Mean It’s Harmless”
Amrin Amin, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Health, had a few choice words for the Nair siblings.
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Preetipls’ rap video was “disturbing, bad taste, unacceptable”.
He felt that it was okay to be upset over the ‘brownface’ ad, but another thing to rub salt and respond with “such disgrace and spite”.
He calls for stern actions to be taken and added that “just because it rhymes doesn’t mean it’s harmless.
What do you think?
Here’s what NCMPs are, and what to expect after GE2025:
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