Under The Angsana Tree: Furore over E-Pay ‘brownface’ ad & Preetipls rap video

Update 14 Aug 2019: Parties behind 'brownface' Nets ad given stern reminder of paying attention to racial sensitivities: IMDA

Nets’ advertisement featured Mediacorp actor Dennis Chew dressed up as four characters, including a Malay woman and an Indian man

The Nets advertisement that was published on epaysg.com and that sparked off a controversy about “brownface” did not breach the Internet Code of Practice but was done in poor taste and caused offence to minorities, regulators said on Wednesday (Aug 14).

The Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) said in a statement that it had completed an assessment of the advertisement to promote e-payments, which featured Mediacorp actor Dennis Chew dressed up as four characters, including an Indian man and a Malay woman in a headscarf.

“While the ad did not breach the Internet Code of Practice, it was done in poor taste and had caused offence to minority communities,” the IMDA said.

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Preetipls, Subhas Nair given conditional warning over offensive music video: police

Subhas Nair (left) and Preeti Nair (right) were each given a 24-month conditional warning by the police. (PHOTOS: Subhas Nair / Facebook, Preetipls / Facebook)

Social media personality Preeti Nair and her brother Subhas were each issued a two-year conditional warning by the police on Wednesday (14 August) over a controversial rap video the duo released online last month.

In a media statement, the police said the warning was issued under Section 298A(a) of the Penal Code, Chapter 224, which covers the offence of wounding racial feelings.

Released on social media late last month, the siblings’ video had mocked an E-Pay advertisement which saw local Chinese actor Dennis Chew being depicted as four different characters, including an Indian man with artificially darkened skin and a Malay woman wearing a headscarf. The video was peppered with expletives and vulgar gestures directed at Chinese Singaporeans.

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NETS E-Pay ad featuring Dennis Chew did not breach Internet Code of Practice: IMDA

In the E-Pay ad, Dennis Chew's skin was darkened to depict an Indian man. He also portrayed a Malay woman, a Chinese man and a Chinese woman. (Photo: AFP/Roslan RAHMAN)

The E-Pay advertisement featuring Dennis Chew did not breach the Internet Code of Practice, the Info-Communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) said on Wednesday (Aug 14), following an assessment.

It had, however, been "done in poor taste and had caused offence to minority communities", the IMDA spokesperson added.
"IMDA has thus issued a stern reminder to the parties involved in the Ad on the importance of paying attention to racial and religious sensitivities.

related: "I feel terrible": Dennis Chew apologises over controversial E-Pay ad

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Dennis Chew apologises for role in ‘brownface’ E-Pay ad, promises to do better

Dennis Chew, the man featured in the “brownface” E-Pay ad, has apologised for his role in it. It was criticised for being racially insensitive, and for the use of “brownface”.

Here is Chew’s apology:

“My role in a recent ad has caused much disappointment.
For many days I held back what I have to say, afraid of making things worse. I feel terrible about how things turned out.
I cannot undo things but I would like to say to everyone, I am deeply sorry.
We live in a harmonious multiracial society and we must never take it for granted. I will set higher expectations of myself. I will do better by my family, friends, colleagues and most importantly, all of you.”

Chew’s role in the ad attracted widespread anger, and many Singaporeans had actually taken to his Instagram page demanding he apologise.

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Preetipls, brother Subhas issue another apology after original was slammed by MHA as 'insincere'

Preeti Nair (left) and Subhas Nair (right) in their rap video. (SCREENSHOT: Preetipls/Facebook)

A day after issuing an apology which was deemed “mock” and “insincere” by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), social media personality Preeti Nair and her brother Subhas posted another statement of contrition on Saturday afternoon (3 August).

In the latest two-page statement posted on their social media platforms, the siblings said that they “unconditionally apologise for the tone, aggression, vulgarities, and gestures used in the K. Muthusamy music video”. “People are offended and we sincerely apologise for it,” their statement read.

“If we could it over again, we would change the manner in which we approached this issue, and would have worded our thoughts better.”

related: MHA slams 'mock, insincere apology' by Preetipls and brother Subhas over 'blatantly racist' video

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Preetipls 18 hrs

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Preetipls, Subhas Nair's statement 'a mock, insincere apology': MHA

A statement issued by YouTube performer Preetipls and her brother Subhas Nair contained "a mock, insincere apology" spoofing an earlier apology issued by Havas Worldwide for the E-Pay advertisement, said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday evening (Aug 2).

"This spoofing is a pretence of an apology, and in fact shows contempt for the many Singaporeans who expressed concern at their blatantly racist rap video," said the ministry in a press release.

The siblings had, earlier on Friday, posted a statement on Instagram saying they were "sorry for any hurt that was unintentionally caused". This was over a rap video they created to criticise a controversial NETS E-Pay advertisement.

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MHA slams ‘mock, insincere apology’ by YouTuber Preetipls and rapper Subhas Nair

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has slammed the “pretence of an apology” by YouTuber Preeti Nair and rapper Subhas Nair, which it said “shows contempt for the many Singaporeans who have expressed concern at their blatantly racist rap video”.

“The statement contains a mock, insincere apology,” said the ministry on Friday (Aug 2) evening, hours after the pair issued an apology on social media for their three-minute video that was laden with vulgarities.

The video was posted in response to an E-Pay advertisement which featured Mediacorp actor Dennis Chew dressed up as four characters, including a Malay woman wearing a religious headdress and an Indian man with “browned” skin.

related:
Authorities urge public not to share Preetipls video; police report filed against E-Pay ad
Preetipls & rapper Subhas Nair 'sorry for any hurt unintentionally caused’ by their video

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Preetipls, brother Subhas say sorry over rap video, mirroring apology by Mediacorp and Havas

Social media personality Preeti Nair, more well known as Preetipls, and her brother Subhas have apologised for “any hurt” that was “unintentionally caused” by their controversial rap video.

In a joint statement posted on Friday afternoon (2 August) across their social media platforms, the siblings described the three-minute music video as a “light-hearted” initiative to provide “greater consciousness to consumers, corporations and the many faces of Singapore”.

The message behind the video is that opportunities must be for everyone, said the statement.

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Preetipls · 5 hrs

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Singapore’s ‘brownface’ saga sparks debate on race as Preetipls rap video condemned

Preeti Nair, sister of Subhas, in the K. Muthusamy video. Photo: YouTube

Singapore’s “brownface” saga continued on Wednesday after national news agency CNA joined the government in condemning two ethnic Indian celebrities who co-produced a vulgarity-laced rap in response to a campaign that featured a Chinese man darkening himself to appear Indian.

On social media, however, fans of siblings Preeti and Subhas Nair expressed support for the duo and disagreed strongly with the government’s claim that their spoof video – which attacked “Chinese people” for the controversial ad – could potentially fan ethnic tensions in the multiracial state.

Pritam Singh, the leader of the country’s parliamentary opposition, also offered sympathetic words for the rappers, saying in a Facebook post late on Wednesday that while some were quick to “cast judgment” on them, it was important to empathise with why they felt the need to address the so-called “brownface” ad.

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Singapore broadcaster in hot water after ‘brownface’ advert sparks anger, apology

The offending ad campaign featured Chinese actor Dennis Chew portraying four characters. Photo: Twitter

An advertisement featuring an actor of Chinese origin with his skin darkened to portray different races has sparked anger in multi-ethnic Singapore, prompting an apology from the country’s state-owned broadcaster.

Race is a sensitive issue in Singapore, which is home to ethnic Chinese, ethnic Indians and Muslim Malays, as well as a large number of expatriates from all over the world.

The ad, part of a government-initiated campaign for cashless transactions in the tech-savvy city state, featured actor Dennis Chew from broadcaster Mediacorp as four characters.

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‘Offensive’ Singapore rap video by Preetipls attacking Chinese people sparks police probe

Preeti Nair appeared in the video wearing a T-shirt that read ‘yes it’s because you’re Chinese’. Photo: YouTube

A furore in Singapore over an advertisement that featured an ethnic Chinese actor darkening his skin to appear Indian escalated on Tuesday as authorities intervened to condemn a vulgar rap video in which two rappers of Indian ethnicity slammed “Chinese people” for the saga.

The government – known for its assiduous management of race relations in the multiracial, Chinese majority city state – signalled it was deeply alarmed by the episode, with the law and home affairs minister K. Shanmugam issuing a sharply worded condemnation of the video produced by siblings Subhas and Preeti Nair.

Tongues were set wagging earlier on Tuesday after the Singapore Police Force said it had launched a probe over “offensive content” in the video, titled “K. Muthusamy”.

related: Singapore’s strict laws alone cannot ensure racial cohesion: President Halimah

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‘This is legit brownface’: Ad by Singapore’s e-payment solutions initiative attracts backlash

An ad by E-Pay seen at Maxwell Food Centre showing Mediacorp artiste Dennis Chew portraying various races in Singapore

Fellow Singaporeans, do we need another lesson on racism? Apparently, it looks like we do. A recent advertisement by E-Pay, an initiative by the government to roll out electronic payment solutions in coffee shops, hawker centers, and industrial canteens across Singapore, is being slammed for featuring Chinese Mediacorp artiste Dennis Chew as characters of other races.

Not only does Chew’s skin appear visibly darker, but he is also shown wearing a lanyard with the name “K Muthusamy” printed on the card. The ad is sprawled across the website’s homepage, with a clearer image of Chew as the Indian man in the FAQ section. We also found a large banner with the same images hanging at Maxwell Food Centre.

Not surprisingly, the offensive photos have pissed more than a few Singaporeans off.

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Is it because he’s Chinese?

I don’t wonder any more about why people don’t want to talk about race. Anything you say can be mis-interpreted. Worse for you, if you are inarticulate about expressing your views. The only phrases that would be acceptable are how we should “increase multi-racial tolerance” (or is it harmony?) and grow as a cohesive nation “despite our race, language or religion” (and sexual orientation?).

We’re becoming a fractious people, labouring over the extent of an offence and even whether it is, in fact, offensive. And offensive to whom? With what sort of consequences? We will either shrug off the “offence” or go to the other extreme to paint doomsday scenarios with the usual slippery slope arguments.

Of course I blame Internet. Racist comments are excised from the mainstream conversation because the objective is to maintain the peace and to be “sensitive” to people’s feelings. But comments carry on being uttered anyway on the universal megaphone known as social media. What was private can easily be made public and, as in the case of the Nair siblings’ video, dramatised for further effect.

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Mediacorp, creative agency apologise for 'brownface' E-Pay ad, then seem to defend it

On July 28, Havas, the creative agency behind the campaign, and The Celebrity Agency, Mediacorp's celebrity management arm, released a joint statement on the advertisement to The Sunday Times.

They apologised, saying, "We're sorry for any hurt that was unintentionally caused. Behind the ad is an initiative to provide greater convenience to consumers, merchants and small food businesses."

However, the statement also appeared to defend their choice to have Chew play characters of a different race: "The message behind this advertising campaign is that e-payment is for everyone. "For that reason, Dennis Chew, well-known for his ability to portray multiple characters in a single production in a light-hearted way, was selected as the face of the campaign. He appears as characters from different walks of life in Singapore, bringing home the point that everyone can e-pay."

related: Toggle pulls episode after outcry over use of 'blackface' in original series

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Nets and Havas apologise for hurt caused by 'brownface' ad, advertising authority says it did not breach guidelines

A recent advertisement which featured a Chinese actor in "brownface" was in "poor taste", but did not breach guidelines, said the Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (Asas) on Thursday (Aug 1).

It also said that as the ad has been removed, "no further action is currently required".

The ad to promote cashless payments, which politicians and web users described as offensive and insensitive, featured Mediacorp celebrity Dennis Chew portraying characters such as a woman in a tudung and a man with visibly darker skin.

related: Mediacorp apologises after ad stirs debate about depictions of race

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Havas issues new apology over E-Pay 'brownface' ad: 'We regret if anyone has been offended'

In the E-Pay ad, Dennis Chew's skin was darkened to depict an Indian man and a Malay woman, and he also portrayed a Chinese man and a Chinese woman. (Photo: AFP/Roslan RAHMAN)

Creative agency Havas Worldwide issued another statement on Thursday (Aug 1) apologising for "any hurt caused" by the E-Pay campaign it had been engaged by NETS to do, which included an advertisement deemed controversial for its use of "brownface".

"Havas Worldwide Singapore would like to apologise for any hurt caused by the recent campaign to communicate that e-payment is for everyone," said the agency.

"The message behind the campaign is that e-pay is for people across all age groups and demographics.

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"2 wrongs don't make a right" - Ministers, religious leaders on rap video & "brownface" ad

An advertisement that used "brownface" was insensitive and inappropriate, but a rap video that was made in response only made things worse, ministers and religious leaders said on Tuesday (Jul 30).

"Race is an emotive issue which touches the core of our identity. The recent E-pay advertisement was done in poor taste. But the tit-for-tat video done in response to it was disrespectful, and will lead us down a dark path," said Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu in a statement.

She added that such incidents are a reminder that race relations in a diverse society like Singapore cannot be taken for granted and called for Singaporeans to strengthen social harmony together.

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4 key issues to consider regarding offensive 'brownface' E-Pay ad

The original ad (left) and an image (right) used for the FAQ section of the E-Pay website have both been taken down. (SCREENCAPS: social media)

The furore over the racially insensitive E-Pay advertisement and the subsequent video by Preeti Nair and her brother Subhas has sparked intense debate over the public portrayal of Singaporeans from different races.

Featuring Mediacorp actor Dennis Chew, the “brownface” advertisement showed him playing four different characters, including an Indian man with artificially darkened skin and a Malay woman wearing a headscarf.

The advertisement, which has been taken down from the E-Pay site, was widely criticised for being racially insensitive. It prompted an Nanyang Technological University student to file a police report, who said “the advertisement has a seditious tendency”.

related: NETS apologises for E-Pay ad that was panned for being racially insensitive

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NETS breaks silence with apology over controversial E-Pay ad

Days after the viral “brownface” E-Pay ad was slammed on social media, NETS has apologised for any hurt that the campaign has caused. Echoing its agency Havas and Mediacorp, the company said in a statement to Marketing, the intention behind the ad was to communicate that e-payment is for everyone.

According to the spokesperson, the campaign was a multi-agency effort led by Enterprise Singapore as part of the unified e-payment initiative that was rolled out in September last year. Marketing has reached out to Enterprise Singapore for comment.

Meanwhile, a complaint was also filed against E-Pay’s ad for causing “discomfort and dissatisfaction among the citizens and residents”. In a Facebook post with a copy of the police report, the netizen said that according to Minister Shanmugam, if something is viewed as “criminal”, a police report should be made instead of that individual crossing the line. He added that the ad potentially breaches Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act which prohibits seditious acts and speech including publications.

related: NETS unifies Singapore’s e-payment landscape, to roll out 20 schemes by 2019

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Police looking into rap video by local YouTube star Preetipls allegedly containing offensive content

The police are investigating an online rap video allegedly containing offensive content that was made in response to a recent advertisement by e-payments website epaysg.com.

The rap video, which The Straits Times understands features local YouTuber Preeti Nair and her brother, rapper Subhas Nair, was posted on Facebook and YouTube on Monday (July 29).

In a statement on Tuesday, the police said they are aware of the video and a report against it has been lodged.

related: Mediacorp, creative agency apologise for 'brownface' E-Pay ad, then seem to defend it

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Sharing Preetipls rap video 'may be an offence'

Authorities advise public not to share video, which is under police investigation for 'intent to wound racial feelings'

Anyone who shares a rap video that is being investigated by the police could also run afoul of the law, a lawyer warned yesterday.

Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said on Tuesday that the three-minute clip, which took aim at a racially insensitive advertisement, had crossed the line by attacking Chinese Singaporeans with vulgarities.

related: Rap video by local YouTube star Preetipls on 'brownface' ad crosses the line, not acceptable: Shanmugam

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Police looking into Preetipls' parody video for allegedly containing offensive content

The police are investigating an online rap video allegedly containing offensive content that was made in response to a recent advertisement by e-payments website epaysg.com.

The rap video, which features local YouTuber Preeti Nair and her brother, rapper Subhas Nair, was posted on Facebook and YouTube on Monday (July 29).

In a statement on Tuesday, the police said they are aware of the video and a report against it has been lodged.

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E-Pay advertisement fiasco: YouTube duo’s “escalatory” and “cutting” response a consequence of continuous institutional racism, says WP chief Pritam Singh

Workers’ Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh has weighed in on the debacle surrounding rising Singaporean YouTube duo Preeti Nair and Subhas Nair’s satirising of an E-Pay website advertisement.

The controversial advertisement, which has since been modified to remove the offending material, portrayed Mediacorp actor and DJ Dennis Chew as multiple “characters” of different races in Singapore, such as a Malay woman in a headscarf and an Indian man with darkened skin, a Chinese woman in a pink jacket and a Chinese man with a moustache in the advertisement.

The advertisement drew flak from many Singaporeans, with parallels being drawn to “brownface” — the racist act of darkening fair skin for entertainment purposes at the expense of people of “brown” races such as Indians and Malays, regardless whether or not it is intentional. Many critics have also pointed out why actual Malay and Indian actors or models were not hired to portray individuals of their respective races instead.

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Police investigating “offensive” Preetipls video “K. Muthusamy”, made in response to controversial E-Pay ad

The song, which was a remix of Iggy Azalea’s song, F*ck It Up, was directed at (racist) Chinese people

On Monday, July 29, 2019, social influencer Preetipls released a music video which responded to the recent and controversial “brownface” ad by E-Pay, where Chinese actor Dennis Chew was depicted to look as an Indian, with darkened skin and all. The police are currently investigating the video, which was reported as having “offensive content”.

The video in question shows Preetipls, whose real name is Preeti Nair, and her brother rapper Subhas Nair, rapping out lyrics about “(racist) Chinese people … who don’t know their place”. While it was posted on Preeti’s Facebook account, it was taken down on Tuesday (July 30) afternoon.

The song, which was a remix of Iggy Azalea’s song, F*ck It Up, was directed at (racist) Chinese people, whom the Singaporean siblings were saying are exploiting minorities for “the brown dollar”.

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Let's learn to deal with minor racial squabbles on our own

A screengrab from the controversial music video by social media personality Preeti Nair

Another day, another outrage. And, unsurprisingly, another instance of the government stepping in to police online unrest.

How did we get to this point once again? First, a bewilderingly ill-conceived advertisement riles the public with its racial insensitivity.

Then a sibling duo – Preeti Nair and her brother Subhas – put out a “rap” video in which they mock said advertisement but also lay into Chinese people for “f**king things up” for other races.

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Public should refrain from circulating and sharing Preetipls video: Police, IMDA

The rap video, which features Preeti Nair and rapper Subhas Nair, was posted on Facebook and YouTube on July 29, 2019

The police and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) have advised members of the public to refrain from circulating and sharing an online rap video by local YouTuber Preeti Nair and her brother, rapper Subhas Nair, that allegedly contains offensive content.

In an advisory issued on Facebook on Wednesday (July 31), the police and IMDA noted that there has been an attempt to circulate and share the video, which is the subject of a police investigation.

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Toggle pulls episode after outcry over use of 'blackface' in original series

The practice of blackface, or using makeup to impersonate a dark-skinned character, has long been frowned upon as offensive due to its historical usage in caricatures and negative portrayals of black people.

Yet, that's exactly what online video streaming service Toggle did on an episode of Chinese-language series "I Want To Be A Star". The episode saw actor Shane Pow dressing up as a black actor by putting on black makeup on his face and an afro wig.

Unsurprisingly, reactions online have been overwhelmingly negative, with many netizens expressing disbelief and criticising the use of blackface as racist and offensive.

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Full Coverage:
Toggle pulls episode after outcry over use of 'blackface' in original series

Public should refrain from circulating and sharing Preetipls video

Rap video on 'brownface' ad crosses the line, not acceptable

CNA drops local rapper from upcoming documentary

Mediacorp apologises after ad stirs debate about depictions of race