Facebook user Susiilaa Shanmugam posted a photo of a banner at Mountbatten wishing residents a Happy Deepavali, while at the same time advising residents to “keep (their) celebrations litter-free”.
The photo features People’s Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament (MP) Lim Biow Chuan, who is the adviser to the Mountbatten Grassroots Organisations.
The netizen captioned her photo “might as well don’t wish right” and in her Facebook post:
“Thank u for the reminder Sir. Just curious if you have ever used this message during Chinese New Year or Hungry Ghost Festival?
Though the message appears to have a positive intent, it is being used at a very wrong time given festivals are a time when those who have endured a tumultuous time come together as one to unite with their family and friends.
I hope to see the same message for the coming Chinese New Year.”
Lim Biow Chuan responds
Lim responded to the incident and said that the photo of the banners were real and not doctored, and added that the banners were placed on his behalf by the People’s Association (PA), according to Mothership.
However, he added that the contractor who put up the banners didn’t clear the location with the PA staff.
He also explained the segment on littering and said that it was an initiative by the Residents’ Network (RN) and not the Marine Parade Town Council.
Lim said that the anti-littering initiative was a result of the RN receiving complaints after sparklers and wrappings being littered in the parks after Deepavali and discussed it with NEA before coming up with the idea to remind residents to be conscious.
He once again reiterated that it was not an initiative by the MPTC, and that the RNs often take their own initiative based on the feedback from residents.
Lim also added that the anti-littering message was used for the first time following residents’ feedback, and he understands that it might have given rise to a “misunderstanding” because the banners were placed side by side, and he has instructed the PA staff to remove it.
He added that they will be removing all the anti-littering banners after conveying the feedback to NEA.
Photos of litter
A resident also shared a notice that they received from NEA and the Mountbatten Grassroots Association, showing photos of wrappers, sparklers and other form of litter on the ground, and some burnt grass from the use of sparklers.
