Singaporeans mock junior minister’s ‘nonsense’ advice on how to throw away drink packet with Lee Kuan Yew’s image

Netizens are ridiculing a minister for suggesting ‘appropriate, responsible’ disposal of a drink packet featuring the late founder’s image

Lee Kuan Yew’s memorialisation remains a subject of debate in Singapore, but he is said to have vehemently opposed having a personality cult around him

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Visitors take photographs of a mural featuring the likeness of Lee Kuan Yew, during a tribute event in Singapore in 2016. The late political patriarch is said to have been vehemently opposed to having a personality cult growing around him. Photo: EPA

Published: 5:00pm, 4 Oct 2023

Singaporeans have ridiculed a minister on social media for suggesting a drink packet that features the image of the city state’s late independence leader Lee Kuan Yew should be disposed of in an “appropriate and responsible manner”, after a lawmaker questioned whether the initiative had the government’s approval.

Food and drink company Yeo’s in August said it was giving away limited-edition chrysanthemum tea cartons with the picture of the late leader to commemorate his birth centenary, and honour Lee’s “visionary role in transforming Singapore into a garden city”.

Yeo’s launched the limited-edition chrysanthemum tea packets to commemorate Lee Kuan Yew’s birth centenary. Photo: Facebook/yeos.sg

That announcement sparked accusations that the drinks maker was capitalising on the reverence with which many Singaporeans view the late Lee, known commonly by his initials “LKY”, to boost the brand’s identity.

Yeo’s rejected the claim, saying the move was aimed at “educating young Singaporeans who may not be aware of the elder statesman’s contributions to the Asian financial hub’s development”.

It added there was no commercial motive behind the campaign as it did not involve the firm’s regular brand colours and labelling.

But MP Poh Li San was not convinced with that explanation.