Netizen Claims MP Gives ‘Expired’ Chocolate for Father’s Day But It’s Obviously Not True

Do you like chocolate?

I do.

Not dark chocolate, though. I really can’t stomach the dry and bitter taste of it.

Milk chocolate, on the other hand, is a pleasure to the senses. But as I work towards the body of Thor in Thor: Ragnarok, I have to stop myself from eating too much of it before I end up looking like Thor in Avengers: Endgame.

For the ladies (and gentlemen) thanking me for posting the GIF of the perfect human specimen, you’re welcome.

While I try to avoid chocolate, I can’t guarantee I wouldn’t take a bite if someone offered it to me. Especially an MP (Member of Parliament).

Thankfully I frequent Ang Mo Kio Central Market instead of Pek Kio Market (heh heh), as that was what Mr Melvin Yong was doing on Father’s Day (16 June).

Mr Melvin Yong, an MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC, graced Pek Kio Market and its patrons with his presence on the morning of Father’s Day. To celebrate the occasion, Mr Yong distributed Cadbury chocolate bars freely in a walkabout.

Some call it PR (Public Relations), some call it wayang, but it’s free chocolates, so who cares?

Chocolate Claimed By Netizen To Have Expired In 2011

Well, someone did care.

I’m sure our parents would have told us since young to always check the expiry date on a food packaging before eating. This particular netizen definitely took that advice to heart.

She noticed that the expiry date on the chocolate bar appeared to have read “09/01/2011” – which would have meant that the chocolate bar expired 8 years ago.

She then posted it on her Facebook, and before long, the post was circulated around.

It’s 2020, Not 2011

Mr Yong himself eventually caught wind of this post.

He quickly debunked it in a post of his own.

Mr Yong pointed out that the date format for the expiry date was “DD/MM/YY”, thus making it impossible for the Year to be stated as “2011”. The expiry date is, in fact, “09/01/20” – 9 January 2020.

Also, if you scrutinise carefully, it’s actually an “L1” poorly spaced after the date.

The MP also added that Cocoa Life, an organisation with its logo printed on the packaging, was founded in 2012, making it even more impossible for this chocolate bar to expire in 2011.

He then ended off this post by thanking the volunteers which assisted in the chocolate giving, and also wishing all fathers a Happy Father’s Day.

Fake News

It’s unclear if the original poster was merely trying to spread awareness out of sincerity or attempting to spread false allegations to raise further hate for PAP.

However, it was clear that due to their innate hate for PAP, many netizens were a little quick to believe it. The flame of insults started, accusing PAP of having a “bochup” attitude or even being unable to afford new chocolate bars.

One comment even accused PAP of attempting to poison fathers to gain more votes from new citizens. I’m not sure how that works, so I’m going to assume that it was just a bad joke.

Regardless, with the spread of propaganda and false information made easier with social media, we must remember to always fact check before sharing a post.

Also, anyhow share fake news, later kena arrested.

I’m just kidding, you won’t. But do check out 10 facts on the new laws to combat fake news.