{"id":69649,"date":"2026-07-18T08:20:04","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T00:20:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=69649"},"modified":"2026-07-18T08:20:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T00:20:04","slug":"singapore-inclusivity-debate-at-ion-orchard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=69649","title":{"rendered":"Singapore inclusivity debate at Ion Orchard"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

A local influencer has called out a display at ION Orchard for featuring messages only in English and Chinese, urging people to \u201cstop making Singapore look less Singapore\u201d.<\/p>\n

In an Instagram video posted on July 16, user @fauziazzhar pointed to a digital display on the facade of Ion Orchard, which read \u201cI love Orchard\u201d, but only in English and Chinese.<\/p>\n

The clip titled, \u201cWhat happened to inclusivity in Singapore?\u201d<\/a> has garnered over 134,000 and more than 300 comments.<\/p>\n

\u2018Stop making Singapore look less Singapore\u2019<\/h2>\n

In the video, the influencer \u2014 who goes by Fauzi \u2014 acknowledges that the choice of language could have been made with the aim of attracting Chinese tourists, but claims he did not understand the reasoning from a \u201cbusiness perspective\u201d.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Scroll to continue reading<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cAt what point does capitalism come at the expense of our identity?\u201d he asks.<\/p>\n

Fauzi says he has increasingly observed what he sees as greater visibility being given to \u201conly one language and one culture\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe that\u2019s why a lot of tourists from overseas think that Singapore is from China,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n

He also points to what he described as a growing number of Chinese-owned businesses<\/a> with staff who are unable to communicate in English, as well as receipts printed in Chinese.<\/p>\n

Fauzi goes on to question whether public spaces were becoming less inclusive of minorities if they continued to cater primarily to one group, adding that he believes one of Singapore\u2019s iconic malls was now \u201creinforcing\u201d that trend.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop making Singapore look less Singapore, thank you,\u201d he concludes.<\/p>\n

Found it \u2018odd\u2019 that display did not show other languages<\/h2>\n

Speaking to Stomp, Fauzi said he had spotted the display at about 10pm on July 10 while waiting at a traffic light with his friends in a car.<\/p>\n

He said they had waited in anticipation to see whether the display would switch to other languages, but \u201cto no avail\u201d, as it only alternated between English and Chinese, which he found \u201codd\u201d.<\/p>\n

Fauzi added that he had encountered similar incidents at other malls in heartland areas, where he received promotional brochures for restaurants printed only in Chinese.<\/p>\n

He also pointed to another example shared by a follower, apparently showing a photo of a National Day T-shirt design by Hang Ten, featuring Chinese-language prints.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile it\u2019s interesting to see another language being featured, I question why there aren\u2019t equivalent designs in Malay and Tamil as well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"Influencer<\/picture><\/div>
\n

Hangten National Day T-shirts at a FairPrice outlet featuring Chinese-language prints.<\/p>\n

PHOTO: FAUZI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Even though the inner collar of the T-shirt features the Hang Ten logo, it is unclear when and where the pictures of the apparel were taken.<\/p>\n

Stomp has reached out to Ion Orchard and Hang Ten for comment.<\/p>\n

Netizens share similar experiences<\/h2>\n

Many netizens agreed with Fauzi, with several sharing similar experiences they had encountered elsewhere in Singapore.<\/p>\n

Some pointed to attractions such as the Singapore Oceanarium and Sentosa, saying that some announcements and posters are displayed only in English and Chinese.<\/p>\n

Another user said that such situations are becoming increasingly \u201ccommon\u201d, claiming that even at food courts, people are \u201cexpected to speak Mandarin just to place an order\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t forget Malay is the National Language,\u201d a commentator wrote.<\/p>\n

One user took the opportunity to urge the authorities to take steps to protect Singapore\u2019s identity as a multiracial and multicultural country.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Stomp<\/p>\n

Have something to say? Join in!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Explore more on these topics<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

See something interesting? Contribute<\/a> your story to us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Get more of Stomp’s latest updates by following us on:<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n