Singapore, August 21: Singapore’s central bank has made an embarrassing gaffe by misspelling the name of the country’s first President Yusof Ishak on the packaging of newly-launched currency notes, forcing authorities to apologise Friday.
The name that appears on the new folder and in an enclosed booklet, marking Singapore’s 50th year of independence and containing notes of SG50 and SG10 is Yusok Ishak, local media reported. A blurb explaining the design of the special SGD50 note reads: “The front design features Mr Yusok Ishak, our first President.”
The first name is spelt with K ending, instead of F. The late President’s portrait is on both the SGD50 and SGD10 commemorative notes.
However, there were no mistakes on the dollar notes celebrating the anniversary. Ravi Menon, managing director of Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the de facto central bank, which issued the sets, has taken full responsibility for the spelling mistake.
“This should never have happened, is not acceptable, and I take full responsibility. I apologise on behalf of my colleagues who worked hard to prepare the notes and folders, but are deeply disappointed that we made this most unfortunate mistake,” he said. PTI
