Stunt 'resignation' of Singa sparks courtesy conversation

In a letter to Singapore yesterday titled “I quit” on the SKM website, the sad-looking Singa (the word literally means “lion” in Malay) said he needs a “long break” as he is “too tired to continue facing an increasingly angry and disagreeable society”. Singa has been on the job for more than 30 years in various campaigns promoting courteous and gracious behaviour.

He explained that “kindness shouldn’t be a campaign”, adding that “it’s time for real people to step up and for the mascot to step aside”.

William Wan, general secretary of the movement, told Campaign Asia-Pacific that Singa has a persona, and SKM is using that persona to talk to Singaporeans via social media, to remind people to act graciously.

"This is a campaign by the SKM, which challenges the conventional thinking of how campaigns are run," he added. "Over the past three years, Singapore has become more vocal due to the explosion of social media. We have talked that we are a people’s movement, and we want to engage Singapore more in getting them to champion the cause of kindness in their own communities."

He noted that Singa’s 'resignation' is a platform for people to react, whether negatively or positively, and discuss the role of kindness in their lives.

"It provides a focus for discussion, and we believe in the maturity of that discussion," Wan said. "While that’s not to say traditional campaigns do not still have their place, it was time to look at something which would give people something to talk about , and hopefully reflect on the state of kindness in Singapore and the kind of society we want to be."

The “resignation” came after the release of the latest Graciousness Index, an annual study that tracks the perception and experience of kindness and graciousness in the country: The Graciousness index fell eight points to 53 this year.

Perceptions of overall graciousness, nevertheless, did not drop as sharply. There is a slight dip of 0.4 points to an average of 5.8 this year, and many still perceive Singapore as a kind country.

Most netizens have expressed sadness toward the resignation. "As expected, the responses are varied," Wan said. "Some have asked for Singa to return, stating its importance as a national icon. Some have said that Singa was irrelevant in the first place. Some have questioned our values as Singaporeans, while others dismiss this as a publicity stunt. We welcome all responses, because it is important for Singapore to speak up about what they want for our society."

An online commenter by the name Ah Loong said: “So screwed up even the mascot has to quit. Faith in humanity lost”, while another said “NO! Don’t give up, Singa! You’re obviously needed more than ever”.

A commenter named Renee, meanwhile, said: “Can you not retire Singa in favour of some new mascot? Seriously, as a Singaporean, I’m tired of everything changing in SG. At least keep Singa as a mascot that generations of Singaporeans can identify with!”

There are also cynical comments on the post touching on the country’s issues including the growing foreign workforce and education.

"Singapore Patriot" said: “Kindness and graciousness have little place in a meritocratic society, where people have been socially engineered to think that kindness and graciousness need to be ‘merited’ as well'...so, are you being replaced by foreign talent?”.