SBS Transit Apologises After Netizen Found Outdated Hari Raya Aidilfitri Greetings on MRT train

Outdated Hari Raya Aidilfitri decorations, which came in the form of stickers displayed within the interior of a North East Line train, have sparked displeasure and prompted an apology from SBS Transit for the oversight. 

A Facebook post by netizen Syed Mahdzar Al-Shahab had called out the outdated decor, saying that they were incorrect. 

A picture of the decorations was attached to the post.

The netizen said in his post, “I was in the train today and this was decorated all over. Seriously, Aidilfitri? I’m not trying to be an expert, I’m a Muslim and we’ve just passed Aidilfitri in May!”

“So whoever put up this decoration, I hope you double check your work next time. SBS Transit Ltd … It is Aidiladha not Aidilfitri!?”

This post was later followed up with another post in which Mr Syed Mahdzar further pointed out that a bicycle is included in the decoration visuals, which has no relation to the festival. 

Hari Raya Aidilfitri, alternatively known as Hari Raya Puasa, was on 13 May this year. Hari Raya Haji will take place on 20 July this year. 

SBS Transit uploaded an apology post onto Facebook, saying that this was “due to an oversight” and that the outdated stickers have since been taken down. 

They apologised for “the distress caused”. 

PA Apologised for Using Couple’s Wedding Photo as Hari Raya Decor Without Consent

In a somewhat similar incident of oversight, the People’s Association issued an apology for using a Malay/Muslim couple’s wedding photo as Hari Raya decorations without their permission. 

The photograph featured the couple clad in traditional Malay clothing with wedding symbols. 

It was used to make a standee for Hari Raya decorations alongside a banner showing Mr Melvin Yong, Radin Mas MP, and his wishes for residents for the festive occasion. 

The couple’s faces had been cut out for the making of the standee. 

Ms Sarah Bagharib, 30, said that two friends of hers had informed her of the use of her wedding photograph for the decorations. 

She said that neither she nor her husband had been consulted to give permission for the use of the photographs. 

The photographer who took the photo was not consulted either. 

However, PA then cancelled the meeting with her after they deemed that Ms Sarah had wrongfully labelled this “isolated incident” as racist.

Featured Image: Facebook (Syed Mahdzar Al-Shahab)