Ex-MP Amrin Amin wears foodpanda delivery rider uniform for Halloween, netizens divided over costume

Amrin Amin dresses up in foodpanda uniform but jokes that may switch to Grab if ‘benefits are better’

While current and former Singapore politicians spent Halloween togged out in various costumes, former Member of Parliament (MP) Amrin Amin prompted the biggest reaction on social media when he decided to dress up as a foodpanda delivery rider.

Some criticised the outfit, but others saw nothing wrong with it and thought that the critics were being too sensitive.

Amrin Amin dons foodpanda uniform complete with helmet

In a Facebook post on Saturday (31 Oct) night, Mr Amrin shared a photo of his outfit for a Halloween street party in Chip Bee Gardens, which is near Holland Village.

Standing amid spooky Halloween decorations, he was decked out in dark pants and the instantly recognisable bright pink and silver top with the foodpanda logo on the front.

He even donned a matching pink motorcycle helmet, looking every inch a working delivery rider.

Amrin Amin expresses support for delivery riders

Mr Amrin, a lawyer who was previously Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs and Health and an MP for Sembawang GRC, joked that he “might switch to Grab if the benefits are better”.

He also said that he was “clearly just playing the part”, considering that he did not have a delivery backpack.

However, he expressed support and “much respect” for real delivery riders, noting that they fulfil customers’ orders “through heat, rain or haze”.

Thus, customers should “go easy on the ratings” if they’re a little late, he added.

Mr Amrin left Parliament after being on the losing People’s Action Party team that contested Sengkang GRC during the 2020 General Election.

Netizens say outfit represents tough job for real riders

Mr Amrin’s post has so far drawn almost 300 reactions and more than 70 comments, one of which said he looked great and praised him for his “enthusiasm and involvement”.

But several commenters took issue with the get-up, with one saying that people’s livelihood is not a costume and another accusing him of “making a mockery” out of others’ uniforms.

Another netizen expounded that people were uncomfortable as delivery riders’ uniforms represent a job with long and hard hours, not a costume.

Yet another commenter snidely remarked that others wearing the uniform were working hard instead of celebrating Halloween.

Other users say people are overreacting

But a number of users defended Mr Amrin too, with one saying that many commenters were overreacting.

In fact, the only problem he had with the outfit was that it was not scary enough for Halloween.

Another accused the detractors of being sensitive, pointing out that people also dressed up as members of other professions for Halloween.

In a lengthy spiel, one defender slammed the negative comments as having “double standards”, as they presumably had no problem with dressing up as other professions, which also have their own challenges.

She also maintained that the critics had betrayed their own stigma against food delivery riders.

It was also noted that the perception of mockery could have come about due to his status as a former politician.

At the time of writing, Mr Amrin has not responded to the comments.

Also read: From Harry Potter to Snow White: S’pore MPs join in the fun with residents at Halloween events

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Featured image adapted from Amrin Amin on Facebook and MS News. Photo on the right for illustration purposes only.