In an act of either carelessness or ignorance, Sengkang West grassroots leaders, along with other volunteers, apparently displayed the Singapore flag on the grounds when trying to link them together for a display in the estate.
In a photo posted on the Facebook page of the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Lam Pin Min, it appears that several copies of the Singapore flag were being tied together to form the number “50” – obviously to mark Singapore’s 50th year of Independence – which would be displayed between two blocks of flats.
Dr Lam, who is also the Minister of State for Health, posted:
“It’s finally Up! After 2 months of planning and preparation, and after a gruelling 8 hours of hardwork since this morning. A big thank you to Sengkang West Zone C grassroots leaders, residents and volunteers. Residents can also join in the SG50 celebration by flying the national flags from your flats.”
Here is the photo as can be seen on the main page of Dr Lam’s Facebook page (circled in yellow):
According to Rule 4 of the Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Rules in the Statutes, it states that:
“No person in possession of the Flag shall allow or cause the Flag to touch the floor or ground, even when lowering the Flag from a staff or flagpole.”
The penalties for contravening any of these rules are:
While we support the grassroots leaders’ enthusiasm to celebrate our nation’s 50th birthday, and feel that there was no ill intention on their part, we also nonetheless hope that they are aware that the Singapore flag should be treated with the utmost respect.
We hope Dr Lam will have a word with his volunteers.
