Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam, Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary, Minister of State for the Ministry of National Development & Ministry of Manpower Zaqy Mohamad, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Health, Amrin Amin all took to social media to condemn the rap video made by Preeti Nair and her brother Subhas Nair.
The video by the Nair siblings was made in response to the controversial E-pay “brownface” advertisement where a Chinese actor, Dennis Chew, was depicted as an Indian, with darkened skin and all.
In a Facebook post, Minister Shanmugam responded to Preeti Nair’s video. He said, “When you use 4-letter words, vulgar language, attack another race, put it out in public, we have to draw the line and say not acceptable”.
He also added that it was meant to “make minorities angry with Chinese Singaporeans”.
https://www.facebook.com/JPuthucheary/posts/2375631615836333
Similarly, on his own social media page, Mr Janil Puthucheary wrote, “Personally, I found both the advert and the rap unacceptable. Seriously people it’s 2019.
Deputy Government Whip said Zaqy Mohamad wrote, “came across this rap video today that attacked Chinese Singaporeans with vulgar gestures and expletives. This video was in response to a recent, disrespectful e-payment advertisement. The ad had offended many due to its insensitivity, but this video that was produced in response is totally offensive and uncalled for”.
https://www.facebook.com/zaqym/posts/1243504025830811?__xts__[0]=68.ARDqifDo09TqojRwQWOUVnjPdaAUmN6TZjembJWuATz8HsMI6Y4EH3LAYkZGZNzXdE6bcDThFw1ungf2HSB0RdcLUjzcm5PSuyUwdSNu_RAkQrOSslwxDTah35q8JzOScEWUrURTc1JTNncPxSc1xE82sr1c7D-wFASBCYyaGZfyksMw3YSA3nGFNfyFdUy8wWg2TMEq7vuifxwpfjogogCbDbZw30Nd2ypv9eKoFpqm1YniWoGINFjDacM3rRbqK80aP9vD9REBK0Sp5bYHuz-PQEQtJCMyPrcyWujkUUATrZr2Rlst5MQu4jZw2bc6ggdus8XfzKAeD0dl2NI1ffwZdw&__tn__=-R
Adding to that list was Mr Amrin Amin who commented on the rap – the mode through which Preeti’s message was conveyed, “It’s one thing to be upset over the ‘brownface’ ad for e-pay – yes, insensitive ad. But it’s totally another, in fact, very wrong to rub salt and respond with such disgrace and spite. Just because it rhymes doesn’t mean it’s harmless!” -/TISG