Mountbatten MP Removes Deepavali Banners After Backlash Over Litter Message

SINGAPORE: Mountbatten SMC MP Lim Biow Chuan removed banners wishing his constituents a Happy Deepavali after the inclusion of an anti-littering message on one banner stirred public outrage. The two-part banner first conveyed festive wishes, with a second segment reminding residents to keep celebrations “litter-free” by disposing of sparklers and packaging responsibly.

The banners sparked significant backlash, particularly from Singapore’s Indian community, who pointed out that similar messages aren’t typically displayed during other cultural celebrations. One Facebook user, Susiilaa Shanmugam, expressed her frustration, writing, “Thank you for the reminder, Sir. I wonder if you’ve ever used this message during Chinese New Year or Hungry Ghost Festival?”

Many others echoed her sentiment, questioning the perceived double standard, with TV personality Kalai Selvan also weighing in, urging the MP to “apply the same rules for all races.” Amid mounting concerns, Lim clarified that the banners were erected by the People’s Association’s Residents’ Networks (RNs) in collaboration with the National Environment Agency (NEA) after previous complaints about litter from past Deepavali celebrations. He acknowledged that the placement of the message could cause misunderstandings and ordered the banners’ removal.

Several residents have since engaged in dialogue with the MP on social media, highlighting that the timing and placement of the anti-littering message were perceived as insensitive. In response, Lim explained that his festive message was not intended to carry a litter warning and that he was not consulted about the banner placement. While the incident has sparked conversation, it has also underscored the importance of culturally sensitive messaging in public spaces.