A video showing a Singapore-registered car displaying the offensive phrase ‘F*** Chinese’ repeatedly went viral online, sparking outrage among netizens.
The clip, shared on Facebook by SG Road Vigilante (SGRV), showed a Honda Stepwagon Spada heading toward the Woodlands Checkpoint on November 20, with the vulgar phrase flashing across its rear display screen multiple times.
Following the video’s circulation, the car owner, Maman, spoke to Shin Min Daily News to explain the incident, claiming he was the victim of a hack.
Maman, a private-hire driver for Tada, said he purchased the display screen for S$30 (approx. RM95) and had been using it for six months. He added that it was supposed to display “Support Liverpool” and he was unaware of the offensive message until a relative sent him the viral video.
“When I checked the car, the text had reverted back to ‘Support Liverpool’. The preset text would appear whenever the car stopped and restarted,” Maman said.
He suspects someone may have remotely accessed the display via the IPixelColour mobile app, which allows text changes from another phone. A Shin Min reporter confirmed the app could control the display from a distance of up to 50 meters.
Maman strongly denied accusations of racism, emphasizing he has many Chinese friends and regularly transports Chinese passengers. “I’m not a racist person…why would I do this and damage my livelihood?” he said.
He also acknowledged that installing the display was a violation of Land Transport Authority (LTA) rules and has since removed it.
Authorities confirmed that a police report has been lodged and the case is currently under investigation.
