Mountbatten MP calls for removal of Deepavali banner after complaints of 'litter-free' messaging

Mountbatten MP Lim Biow Chuan has asked for the removal of a Deepavali banner in his estate after members of the public complained about its placement. 

The first banner showed a picture of Lim wishing residents in his estate a happy Deepavali. 

A second banner was placed directly below it by the National Environmental Agency that again, wished residents a happy Deepavali. However, NEA's banner asked residents to ensure that they bin their litter such as used sparklers, packaging and plastic and to leave our public spaces clean. 

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Lim explained on Facebook that the banners are separate ones and that his banner is just a festive greeting that does not contain any litter free messaging. 

"The bottom banner is from NEA/NParks and as a government agency, they are just trying to do their job to remind residents to keep the environment clean while celebrating the festival," he wrote. 

He added that the feedback that NEA has received from many other park users is that the park is badly littered after the Deepavali celebrations.

"It is unfortunate that the contractor who placed the two banners did not think about the messaging. The contractor did not inform me as to when or where to place the banners," he explained.

He added that he has asked for his festive greeting banner to be removed so that there is no misunderstanding of his intent.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to NEA and Lim for more information. 

While many netizens were unhappy at the seemingly targeted messaging towards a minority celebration, government bodies have in the past issued advisories for other celebrations. 

Some of these include getting the public to practice responsible joss paper burning by not throwing joss paper into the air, not leaving food offerings on the ground and disposing of flammable items and incense sticks appropriately.

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