Yeo’s Responds to Criticism of Them Using Lee Kuan Yew’s Image on Drink

It seems that Yeo’s has found a new face for its brand, and Netizens do not like it.

Lest you’re unaware, the local beverage brand recently unveiled a line of limited-edition chrysanthemum tea, and the packets featured the face of none other than our late Minister Mentor:

Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

Yeo’s Responds to Criticism of Them Using Lee Kuan Yew’s Image on Drink

Apparently, the initiative has drawn ire and criticism from Netizens, with many under the impression that Yeo’s had done the late Mr Lee dirty.

A Reddit user even shared a photo of the drink on 25 August, stating that it was akin to “a cheap endorsement”.

For those unaware, Mr Lee’s name and image can be used, but only for “purposes of identifying with the nation” and not for anything else, including commercial purposes or indication of endorsement.

As such, Yeo’s move had the public wondering whether it was a respectable or even legal move.

With that in mind, Yeo’s has since stepped out to address criticisms, expressing that they had consulted the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) beforehand.

Touting the move as an initiative to commemorate the centenary year of Mr Lee’s birth, Yeo’s chief executive, Ong Yuh Hwang, clarified that the packets were not made for sale but for giveaways.

They also abandoned the classic bright yellow and red of Yeo’s for a more fitting green.

The logo, forcibly reduced in size, has been shifted from the usual centre to the bottom as well.

The new colour was reportedly selected to express Mr Lee’s pioneer efforts in transforming Singapore into a green city.

In addition, they found partner organisations to distribute within an educational setting, with the likes of Gardens by the Bay, Children’s Museum Singapore, National Parks Board, army camps and schools drafted in.

With the initiative, Yeo’s hopes to share the importance of balancing economic growth with environmental protection, a notion the late Mr Lee had left behind.

MCCY has since confirmed that, yes, Yeo’s had consulted it in advance before releasing the products.

Post Clarification

Even after the clarification, however, Netizens were still not convinced.

While several Netizens accepted the notion of a centenary commemoration, others questioned whether it was the right move to have consumers finish their drink and throw it, with the face of Mr Lee, into a bin for cleaners to clear.

According to them, it would be a show of disrespect to our founding prime minister.

The fact that it’s a giveaway didn’t exactly appeal to several Netizens too.

It should be noted, however, that some netizens have shown appreciation for it even before the clarification.

Meanwhile, one Netizen reckons it’s all about your “mindset”.

Redemption

If you wish to redeem your free packet, you can refer to this post for further details:

Though several places have limited dates and timings to collect, a few, such as Orchard Central and SAFRA, are valid for the whole month of September.

Gimmick

This isn’t the first time that Yeo got chewed out for its unique edition line-up.

Back in 2020, Yeo’s released a special edition chrysanthemum tea can that supposedly came with a surprise gift if you can get it in the fun pack.

Reddit users were unconvinced, stating that it was just a marketing gimmick and a “bad” one at that.

Others also felt that the reward was not worth the trouble, as it was probably something of no noteworthy value.

Despite the reception, the cans, which were later released in retail stores, were snapped up by scalpers and subsequently reposted on sites such as Carousell.

And two years before 2020, Yeo’s appeared in the news for alleged black sticky stuff in their packet Chrysanthemum drinks.

Yeo’s later denied the allegations and reiterated that every sample has gone through a Quality Assurance test.