15cm Halimah Yacob figurine for sale on Carousell for S$300

Nice gavel.

Belmont Lay | February 08, 2017, 05:52 PM

The day you get turned into a figurine and put online for sale, is the day you know you have made it in Singapore.

Cashing in on all the recent chatter that Speaker of Parliament and Marsiling-Yew Tee MP, Halimah Yacob, might be asked to fulfill a higher calling, one entrepreneurial Singaporean has put up a 15cm Halimah Yacob figurine for sale on Carousell.

The going price is S$300.

The figurine has been aptly named, "Madam Halimah Yacob for President".

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The seller and figurine maker is Christopher Pereira, also known as the most ardent Lee Kuan Yew fan in Singapore.

To be fair, the seller has some great foresight. The figurine has been listed on Carousell since Dec. 29, 2016.

His other previous works on Carousell have focused almost exclusively on Lee Kuan Yew, turning the first prime minister of Singapore into numerous collectibles.

In March 2016, guidelines were issued by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) on the use of the name and image of the late Lee Kuan Yew.

MCCY laid out the following broad guidelines following a review looking at ways to encourage the "appropriate use" of the name and image of Lee:

- The name or image or likeness of Mr Lee Kuan Yew may be used for purposes of identifying with the nation, including on works of art or publications or items for charitable purposes, in accordance with law.

- The name or image or likeness of Mr Lee Kuan Yew should be accorded dignity and respect.

- The name or image or likeness of Mr Lee Kuan Yew should not be used for commercial exploitation or be assumed or taken to indicate any kind of official endorsement of products or services.

"Since the passing of our founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, individuals and organisations have come forward to commemorate him in different ways," the ministry said.

MCCY said it will continue to monitor the use of Lee's name and image, especially in the event the guidelines are not adhered to: "We believe individuals will accord appropriate respect to the memory of Mr Lee and will give feedback on individual cases."

A spokesperson said then it could review a need for legislation in the future.

 

 

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