- Joined
- Jul 24, 2008
- Messages
- 33,627
- Points
- 0
Jan 19, 2010
Exclusion has upset minorities too
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
I REFER to Mr Sim Boon Peng's letter, "Didn't McDonald's think of sensitivity of other races?", last Wednesday.
I agree with his view. McDonald's has not only upset the majority race in Singapore, but also the minorities.
Let's be rational: Why did McDonald's apply for halal certification in the first place? Being in the highly competitive fast-food business, McDonald's did it to expand its market share in Singapore and not out of "sensitivity" for other races.
McDonald's has said it replaced one of the zodiac animals out of "sensitivity" for its Muslim customers. Yet it has not been sensitive to the Sikh minority in Singapore by serving halal meat, which a Sikh is not allowed to partake in. However, Sikhs do not make it an issue as alternatives are available, for example, fish burgers. Similarly, Hindu and Buddhist customers can order a non-beef meal.
We appeal to all commercial entities to think carefully and go through some consultation before embarking on any marketing project, and not to draw the masses into petty racial issues that could have unintended consequences.
Manmohan Singh
<!-- story content : end -->
Exclusion has upset minorities too
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
I REFER to Mr Sim Boon Peng's letter, "Didn't McDonald's think of sensitivity of other races?", last Wednesday.
I agree with his view. McDonald's has not only upset the majority race in Singapore, but also the minorities.
Let's be rational: Why did McDonald's apply for halal certification in the first place? Being in the highly competitive fast-food business, McDonald's did it to expand its market share in Singapore and not out of "sensitivity" for other races.
McDonald's has said it replaced one of the zodiac animals out of "sensitivity" for its Muslim customers. Yet it has not been sensitive to the Sikh minority in Singapore by serving halal meat, which a Sikh is not allowed to partake in. However, Sikhs do not make it an issue as alternatives are available, for example, fish burgers. Similarly, Hindu and Buddhist customers can order a non-beef meal.
We appeal to all commercial entities to think carefully and go through some consultation before embarking on any marketing project, and not to draw the masses into petty racial issues that could have unintended consequences.
Manmohan Singh
<!-- story content : end -->
