Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

IKEA Singapore to continue tie-up with magic show

SINGAPORE — IKEA Singapore has decided to continue promoting a magic show by Pastor Lawrence Khong, who has publicly spoken out against homosexuality in the past, despite the flurry of objections since it put up an advertisement on the event last week.

Ikea Home furnishings in Singapore. Photo: Wee Teck Hian

Ikea Home furnishings in Singapore. Photo: Wee Teck Hian

Follow TODAY on WhatsApp

SINGAPORE — IKEA Singapore has decided to continue promoting a magic show by Pastor Lawrence Khong, who has publicly spoken out against homosexuality in the past, despite the flurry of objections since it put up an advertisement on the event last week.

The furniture retailer said after reviewing the magic show’s content, it found the programme to offer “high family entertainment value” and thus decided to stick to its “informed decision” of continuing the promotional tie-up. 

“As a company, IKEA Singapore respects the diversity and equality of all people living in our community. We also respect that all individuals have a right to their opinions and personal choices, including the freedom to choose their preferred entertainment,” said IKEA Singapore’s assistant marketing manager Sandra Keasberry.

In response to TODAY’s queries, Ms Keasberry said IKEA Singapore does not benefit financially from the tie-up with the show’s organisers.

Since the Swedish firm posted an ad promoting Mr Khong’s show last week, some netizens have been up in arms, expressing their unhappiness to gay rights advocacy groups and on IKEA Singapore’s Facebook page.

The furniture giant’s decision today (April 21), which it posted on its Facebook page, drew strong reactions from those for and against it — there were more than 500 likes and nearly 100 shares by 11pm, with some comments also sparking heated discourse.

A Facebook user by the name Poh Wee Long wrote: “Thank you for not bowing to pressure. We cannot discriminate a person and organisation just because there is disagreement over certain values and views. True freedom means the right to disagree.”

In contrast, writer Alfian Sa’at spoke out against the company, urging it to “perform due diligence the next time” before committing itself to certain personalities in Singapore. “Lawrence Khong is infamous for his anti-gay stance and has lent his voice to various homophobic initiatives in Singapore,” he added.

Attempts to reach Mr Khong today were unsuccessful. Gateway Entertainment, the company that manages Mr Khong’s magic shows, declined to comment.

While pro-family groups lauded IKEA Singapore’s decision, lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender (LGBT) advocates said it showed a need for greater awareness of LGBT rights.

Ms Anita Fam, who is a member of family support non-governmental organisation Families for Life, felt it was a right move by IKEA Singapore.

“It’s just a magic show and the person putting on the show is not making a statement. (Mr Khong) doesn’t have an agenda by putting on this show other than to entertain his audience. IKEA Singapore is doing the right thing by not taking sides,” she said.

On the other hand, Ms Jean Chong, who co-founded women gay rights group Sayoni, said: “While I respect IKEA Singapore’s right to choose how it wants to conduct business, it is obvious it does not hold the same values as IKEA worldwide. A lot of awareness still needs to be done to promote the rights of the LGBT community.” 

Mr Bryan Choong of advocacy group Oogachaga, which provides LGBT counselling services, said he was disappointed by IKEA Singapore’s decision, given the firm’s “international track record” of being LGBT inclusive. “I am sure many LGBT people, families and supporters of LGBT people ... will feel the same.”

 

Here is IKEA Singapore's statement in full:

“Thanks to our loyal customers for your patience while we at IKEA Singapore took time to come to an informed decision on an issue that has raised sensitivities in our community. We were concerned about the questions raised and decided to do a thorough review. We have spoken directly with the organizers, reviewed the content and confirmed that the Vision show offers high family entertainment value and, on that basis, we are continuing our promotional tie-up.

As a company, IKEA Singapore respects the diversity and equality of all people living in our community. We also respect that all individuals have a right to their opinions and personal choices, including the freedom to choose their preferred entertainment.”

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.