Black or white, only the heart matters: Chuan-Jin

SINGAPORE — A day after an anonymous message asking Singaporeans to wear black on Sunday (March 29), when the state funeral service will be held for the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, started circulating, another message urging people to wear white instead has been making the rounds.

On the Internet, people were debating about the appropriate colour to wear in mourning, prompting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin yesterday (March 26) to put up a Facebook post stating: “White? Black? What’s in a colour? Just wear your heart on your sleeve.”

He added: “I for one believe that even as we mourn and grieve, we are also celebrating his life and our Singapore. It’s something really remarkable, isn’t it? So whether it’s the gorgeous hues of sunset in Marina Bay, a Red and White tribute of a significant line in our pledge on my personal page profile shot or a black-and-white profile shot ... we are of one heart.”

The minister recounted how he had met a man who had rushed down from work to pay his respects to Mr Lee, and had apologised repeatedly for being in a brightly coloured shirt.

“Uncle, what matters is that you cared enough to come. The colour doesn’t matter. Thank you,” Mr Tan wrote.

On Tuesday, an anonymous message calling for “five million people in black to mourn for Mr Lee” started circulating on whatsapp and social media, as well as via email.

A day later, another message went around, urging people against taking up the call.

It said: “If the entire population of Singapore wear(s) black, it is to say that after the passing of Lee Kuan Yew comes the beginning of a dark day for Singapore ... Show your respect and be thankful by wearing white.”

Netizens were divided on the issue. Facebook user Diana Loo said people should not bother about “superficialities”. However, others said wearing black or white at funerals is a sign of respect and is a “universal and unspoken code”.

“We don’t wear shorts and flip-flops to weddings, do we? Same reason we don’t wear bright red to funerals. People can choose to do what they want, dress how they want, regardless of protocol, rules, since it’s not against the law. I have been taught to dress appropriately for occasions as a mark of respect,” said Ms Jasmine Teo.