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Google ‘disappointed’ as foreign firms’ application to support Pink Dot rejected

Google has expressed its disappointment at being barred from supporting the Singapore LBGT festival ‘Pink Dot’ – following a number of global companies putting in a request to Singapore police this week to be allowed to sponsor the happening.

Google was part of a collective of 10 international brands which sent a letter to the police asking to be allowed to sponsor the country’s annual festival after new rules introduced prevented foreign companies from doing so.

However, the application was rejected by the authorities, the Ministry of Home Affairs said this morning.

Following the news, a spokesman for Google called the decision “disappointing”, adding: “We remain committed to supporting diversity and inclusion.”

Mumbrella Asia contacted Facebook and Twitter, the social media giants having also signed the letter dated June 9. Facebook declined to comment on the development, while Twitter had not responded at the time of publication.

Other signatories to the letter included Apple, Salesforce, Airbnb, Uber, Microsoft, NBC Universal and Goldman Sachs.

Following amendments to Singapore’s Public Order Act, which came into effect on November 1 last year, Pink Dot’s organisers were ordered to ensure only citizens or permanent residents of Singapore would take part in the July 1 parade, and to stop foreign companies from sponsoring the event.

However, following the rule change, nearly 120 Singaporean companies pledged to sponsor or support Pink Dot. Within the media and marketing community, these included agencies Formul8, Goodstuph, Blue Totem Communications and production company Clover Films.

 

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