For those that don’t already know, Singapore is multi-racial country (some say we’re even becoming multi-national), therefore, when the topic of religion is broached (which is closely linked to race), the issue is always a touchy one. You can bet that any news on inter-faith exchanges or harmony will be warmly received while anything remotely disparaging will be quickly damned.
And this is what some fool called Jason Neo quickly found out when he posted this. So why do I call Jason Neo a fool? Because not only did he post the offending pic, he tried explaining himself even after some friends posted negative comments; and he didn’t take it down until much later (see here).
On the other hand of the spectrum, we have Ravi Philemon complaining about under-radar racism in an ad to promote better toilet hygiene (see here) The Geylang Serai rojak incident was obviously the inspiration for the ad (even though it appears from Ravi’s news source that fecal bacteria wasn’t the caus; rats were), I don’t think the World Toilet Organisation meant any ill will towards Indians here. Also, in the event that someone without knowledge of the incident saw the clip, what would he take it as? Just another story cooked up by some ad agency right? Otherwise, we would all believe that Red Bull gives us wings too.
Methinks some people are too insensitive while others fall at the other end of the spectrum. Can’t we focus on intent everybody?
Ryan Goh: Life through these eyes 
For your info. If you read the ‘riot’, I mean sedition, act, INTENT is irrelevant to such an offending act. In other words, even if the culprit is unaware, had no such intention or was doing/saying it for a completely different reason as claim by this Jason Neo, he is still guilty. Ignorance is NO excuse, that’s what the law says.
Hi George,
If you read the post you would see that I’m not saying that what Jason Neo did is right. In fact, I’m just pointing out that his obvious intent was to mock which should not be condoned. Honestly, I don’t give two hoots about what the law’s take on this matter is. That’s irrelevant to me. Being able to understand the intent behind another’s actions and interpret that correctly is what makes me a better person and I think that is something we could all learn.
Ryan,
“Being able to understand the intent behind another’s actions ”
You got me there! But, hey, to each his own.
IMO, JN should get what he deserves, like those who did before him (there were a couple of them). If he does not, then we can all safely conclude that those associated with the ruling party gets PREFERENTIAL treatment from the law for the same offence committed by us ordinary mortals. That revelation IMO ought to be even more relevant.
Sadly the ISA detainees were detained by PAP interpreting their intent as malicious.
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