Source Website: https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/yusof-ishak-turned-god-fortune-prayer-offerings-store-says-they-meant-no-disrespect
By Kimberly Anne Lim, kimberlylim@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, 13 August 2020 at 06:00 am
By Kimberly Anne Lim, kimberlylim@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, 13 August 2020 at 06:00 am
PHOTO: Goldpaper.sg, an online store selling prayer offerings and supplies, told Lianhe Wanbao it has ceased the distribution of its controversial vouchers appearing to portray former Singapore president Yusof Ishak as the Chinese God of Wealth since yesterday (Aug 12).
Photo: Screengrab/Facebook
Picture posted by Kimberly Anne Lim, kimberlylim@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 13 August 2020 at 06:00 am
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It looks like the seventh lunar month is off to a less than auspicious start for one prayer offerings company.
Following backlash from netizens, Goldpaper.sg, an online store selling prayer offerings and supplies, told Lianhe Wanbao it has ceased the distribution of its controversial vouchers appearing to portray former Singapore president Yusof Ishak as the Chinese God of Wealth since yesterday (Aug 12).
The store's employees had reportedly been spotted handing out the vouchers at Waterway Point on Monday (Aug 10), dressed up as mythical figures including Chinese vampires and guards of the underworld Heibai Wuchang.
Photo: Screengrab/Facebook
Picture posted by Kimberly Anne Lim, kimberlylim@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 13 August 2020 at 06:00 am
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https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/yusof-ishak-turned-god-fortune-prayer-offerings-store-says-they-meant-no-disrespect
It looks like the seventh lunar month is off to a less than auspicious start for one prayer offerings company.
Following backlash from netizens, Goldpaper.sg, an online store selling prayer offerings and supplies, told Lianhe Wanbao it has ceased the distribution of its controversial vouchers appearing to portray former Singapore president Yusof Ishak as the Chinese God of Wealth since yesterday (Aug 12).
The store's employees had reportedly been spotted handing out the vouchers at Waterway Point on Monday (Aug 10), dressed up as mythical figures including Chinese vampires and guards of the underworld Heibai Wuchang.
PHOTO: The store's employees had reportedly been spotted handing out the vouchers at Waterway Point on Monday (Aug 10), dressed up as mythical figures including Chinese vampires and guards of the underworld Heibai Wuchang.
PHOTO: Lianhe Wanbao
Picture posted by Kimberly Anne Lim, kimberlylim@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 13 August 2020 at 06:00 am
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https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/yusof-ishak-turned-god-fortune-prayer-offerings-store-says-they-meant-no-disrespect
The voucher, which contained a promotional code for use with the store's seventh lunar month packages, resembled a ＄10 bill, save for several key differences.
Instead of "Singapore", the store's vouchers featured the non-existent country "Xingapore".
Goldpaper.sg's logo was also printed where the lion head symbol would usually appear on a regular banknote.
But what had most netizens raising their eyebrows was the seemingly doctored portrait of Yusof Ishak.
PHOTO: Lianhe Wanbao
Picture posted by Kimberly Anne Lim, kimberlylim@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 13 August 2020 at 06:00 am
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https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/yusof-ishak-turned-god-fortune-prayer-offerings-store-says-they-meant-no-disrespect
The voucher, which contained a promotional code for use with the store's seventh lunar month packages, resembled a ＄10 bill, save for several key differences.
Instead of "Singapore", the store's vouchers featured the non-existent country "Xingapore".
Goldpaper.sg's logo was also printed where the lion head symbol would usually appear on a regular banknote.
But what had most netizens raising their eyebrows was the seemingly doctored portrait of Yusof Ishak.
PHOTO: The late Yusof Ishak (1910-1970), Second President of Singapore (6 August 1965 to 23 November 1970).
Picture posted by Dean Orbong on 22 May 2010
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIL8Wz-SrC-lCemPHXUXcm2V6gOZifsLGLBAsXA7dbfidWO9tsL58NFHOmY5rNGpAeck54MG0csXmtT4PEMvl8uQ31F4rfTvCeUcqioFJXUeXw3_3cdnGh7UAiEGNajQCslNxFQD1wROY/s1600/42288346_1463953295.jpg
https://images.findagrave.com/photos/2016/142/42288346_1463953295.jpg
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42288346/yusof-bin-ishak#view-photo=140256394
Picture posted by Dean Orbong on 22 May 2010
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PHOTO: Yusof Ishak portrait from Singaporean 2 dollar banknote
Picture posted by Dreamstime
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The late president appeared to have been given a full beard, long, flowing sideburns and a traditional Chinese headdress reminiscent of that worn by the God of Fortune.
The online backlash came swiftly, with one Facebook user slamming the store and calling their actions "racially offensive".
"As a Malay person, I would like this to stop. I don't care [about] the context because you are vandalising the face of a Malay president, period. You are allowing the Chinese-washing of a Malay person. Period."
Another commenter said the voucher was "unacceptable and disrespectful on so many counts".
Posted by Zulkarnain Sadali on Monday, 10 August 2020 at 11:23
https://www.facebook.com/mdzulkar9/posts/10158297481395071
In response to the criticism, Goldpaper.sg said in a statement that they had no intention of defacing Singapore's currency, nor did they mean to disrespect any race or religion.
Denying accusations that they had altered the president's portrait, they claimed that they had used a picture resembling the God of Fortune on the voucher instead.
The promotional material was designed to resemble ＄10 notes in order to attract the attention of the younger generation and remind them that the seventh lunar month is coming soon, the store explained.
Speaking to the Chinese evening daily, the owner of the store added, "Even though the design is very similar [to actual banknotes], we printed it ourselves, using a material that is completely different from real notes."
"Many young people nowadays are not familiar with the many prayer rituals. Therefore, we wanted to use this modified banknote to pique their interest."
The company was ordered to recall and cease the distribution of the vouchers as of Wednesday morning, the owner said, although he did not provide further details on the notice.
According to the Currency Act, those who wish to reproduce Singapore currency images for purposes other than education, factual reports, or to illustrate the function of machines designed to receive currency notes or coins are required to seek approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
They should also adhere to the conditions for reproduction — one of which states that the image of the president or any national symbol should not be distorted.
Additionally, reproduced banknotes should include the word "SPECIMEN" in black and bold lettering.
Those who contravene the law may face a fine of up to ＄2,000, up to three months' imprisonment, or both.
Picture posted by Dreamstime
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The late president appeared to have been given a full beard, long, flowing sideburns and a traditional Chinese headdress reminiscent of that worn by the God of Fortune.
The online backlash came swiftly, with one Facebook user slamming the store and calling their actions "racially offensive".
"As a Malay person, I would like this to stop. I don't care [about] the context because you are vandalising the face of a Malay president, period. You are allowing the Chinese-washing of a Malay person. Period."
Another commenter said the voucher was "unacceptable and disrespectful on so many counts".
This is so racially offensive.
Posted by Zulkarnain Sadali on Monday, August 10, 2020
Posted by Zulkarnain Sadali on Monday, 10 August 2020 at 11:23
https://www.facebook.com/mdzulkar9/posts/10158297481395071
In response to the criticism, Goldpaper.sg said in a statement that they had no intention of defacing Singapore's currency, nor did they mean to disrespect any race or religion.
Denying accusations that they had altered the president's portrait, they claimed that they had used a picture resembling the God of Fortune on the voucher instead.
The promotional material was designed to resemble ＄10 notes in order to attract the attention of the younger generation and remind them that the seventh lunar month is coming soon, the store explained.
Speaking to the Chinese evening daily, the owner of the store added, "Even though the design is very similar [to actual banknotes], we printed it ourselves, using a material that is completely different from real notes."
"Many young people nowadays are not familiar with the many prayer rituals. Therefore, we wanted to use this modified banknote to pique their interest."
The company was ordered to recall and cease the distribution of the vouchers as of Wednesday morning, the owner said, although he did not provide further details on the notice.
According to the Currency Act, those who wish to reproduce Singapore currency images for purposes other than education, factual reports, or to illustrate the function of machines designed to receive currency notes or coins are required to seek approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
They should also adhere to the conditions for reproduction — one of which states that the image of the president or any national symbol should not be distorted.
Additionally, reproduced banknotes should include the word "SPECIMEN" in black and bold lettering.
Those who contravene the law may face a fine of up to ＄2,000, up to three months' imprisonment, or both.
PHOTO: More than just a face on our notes
Yusof Ishak was a man of integrity and dignity, and played a pivotal part in shaping Singapore into who she is today.
Now that you know a little more about our first president, think about his contributions to Singapore whenever you take out that dollar note.
Picture posted by Melissa Yeo, Must Share News on 16 February 2016 at 5:55 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_PZUKGsM2c9YflcJt6A-KX-5ngfcJUOFilv3LzTyqqgDzkusMHnwkEHOr8Ymz8QH0RHafDZQMD5WFrgCpqJaZ5GuhVz5gPeVT8z5qYuT9swtdtQBDm4geNstHUyOr2eTI2jSHFlVDX4/s1600/singapur3.jpg
https://mustsharenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/singapur3.jpg
https://mustsharenews.com/yusof-ishak-story/
Yusof Ishak was a man of integrity and dignity, and played a pivotal part in shaping Singapore into who she is today.
Now that you know a little more about our first president, think about his contributions to Singapore whenever you take out that dollar note.
Picture posted by Melissa Yeo, Must Share News on 16 February 2016 at 5:55 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_PZUKGsM2c9YflcJt6A-KX-5ngfcJUOFilv3LzTyqqgDzkusMHnwkEHOr8Ymz8QH0RHafDZQMD5WFrgCpqJaZ5GuhVz5gPeVT8z5qYuT9swtdtQBDm4geNstHUyOr2eTI2jSHFlVDX4/s1600/singapur3.jpg
https://mustsharenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/singapur3.jpg
https://mustsharenews.com/yusof-ishak-story/
By Kimberly Anne Lim, kimberlylim@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, 13 August 2020 at 06:00 am
Other stories
Reference
[1] Kimberly Anne Lim, kimberlylim@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, Yusof Ishak turned into God of Fortune? Prayer offerings store says they meant no disrespect, posted on 13 August 2020 at 06:00 am, https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/yusof-ishak-turned-god-fortune-prayer-offerings-store-says-they-meant-no-disrespect
Links
told Lianhe Wanbao - https://www.zaobao.com.sg/znews/singapore/story20200812-1076402
claimed that they had used a picture resembling the God of Fortune - https://www.redants.sg/overview/story20200812-4308?fbclid=IwAR1MJ2b19ZSAdpMcQux_RC3B0zmHXXAuUzZivZD4CpIRUtZ7vpfm8BRD76I
for purposes other than education, factual reports, or to illustrate the function of machines - https://www.mas.gov.sg/currency/Using-Images-of-Singapore-Currency
Other stories - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/05/other-stories.html
claimed that they had used a picture resembling the God of Fortune - https://www.redants.sg/overview/story20200812-4308?fbclid=IwAR1MJ2b19ZSAdpMcQux_RC3B0zmHXXAuUzZivZD4CpIRUtZ7vpfm8BRD76I
for purposes other than education, factual reports, or to illustrate the function of machines - https://www.mas.gov.sg/currency/Using-Images-of-Singapore-Currency
Other stories - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/05/other-stories.html
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqx9ASEkGo2hNykU0bwfWunA8Jgf6MKwqEUzOhiLxe7Vj-o02bhyphenhyphenZ7GjlqephcYxsjEVyM9-Da2GvGnbi8kHdo3Ukkmzd25Uucn0IMJT0JQTN_TLyQEgL4Uza2GG57fBZ3PwUXJe0HgBY/s1600/goldpaper1+%25281%2529.jpg
- https://www.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_main_image/public/original_images/Aug2020/goldpaper1%20%281%29.jpg?itok=CYl6qVCc
- https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/yusof-ishak-turned-god-fortune-prayer-offerings-store-says-they-meant-no-disrespect
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKFye07l2qhxi3S1rN3H1DkcB8kfXb4Cnrr9KCgrs-xxcO4sG4P-nUPSxVOnH9wOGSF8Xbm7eYLCbBgheFlCOrkoZpvt-mXR6hMJKPXR0tr-A-X379pqFTqjLLHODb9j1_rfqLVoYf3U/s1600/flyer1.jpg
- https://www.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/flyer1.jpg
- https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/yusof-ishak-turned-god-fortune-prayer-offerings-store-says-they-meant-no-disrespect
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIL8Wz-SrC-lCemPHXUXcm2V6gOZifsLGLBAsXA7dbfidWO9tsL58NFHOmY5rNGpAeck54MG0csXmtT4PEMvl8uQ31F4rfTvCeUcqioFJXUeXw3_3cdnGh7UAiEGNajQCslNxFQD1wROY/s1600/42288346_1463953295.jpg
- https://images.findagrave.com/photos/2016/142/42288346_1463953295.jpg
- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42288346/yusof-bin-ishak#view-photo=140256394
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MvDd8nOdwhbYFFaaVJ6wNUW9dAJgDoDd4R7kzRppCvTwcHq-XrvDw0ilKlvFApBWv3drLGYZb9QwqRCp0V3iwaKuR0x19p1ndhdurk4P3O0SbsHJy0q2GrAx_iZR01SjAx5Ru1CcCLI/s1600/yusof-ishak-portrait-singaporean-money-115789428.jpg
- https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/yusof-ishak-portrait-singaporean-money-115789428.jpg
- https://www.dreamstime.com/yusof-ishak-portrait-singaporean-money-image115789428
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_PZUKGsM2c9YflcJt6A-KX-5ngfcJUOFilv3LzTyqqgDzkusMHnwkEHOr8Ymz8QH0RHafDZQMD5WFrgCpqJaZ5GuhVz5gPeVT8z5qYuT9swtdtQBDm4geNstHUyOr2eTI2jSHFlVDX4/s1600/singapur3.jpg
- https://mustsharenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/singapur3.jpg
- https://mustsharenews.com/yusof-ishak-story/
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