SINGAPORE — The Singapore Mint temporarily suspended orders for a range of medallions and busts commemorating founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew — just six hours after announcing the programme’s launch on Monday (March 2).

The items contravene the Government's published guidelines on the use of Lee's name and likeness. 

When contacted by TODAY on Tuesday, the company — which produces coins and medallions for circulation and sales — was unable to give a reason for the suspension.

Asked to comment on the matter, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth said it is aware that The Singapore Mint launched and then suspended orders but did not comment further.

It referred TODAY to guidelines on its website, which state that the name and likeness of Lee Kuan Yew may be used for “purposes of identifying with the nation” including on works of art or publications or items for charitable purposes, in accordance with law.

However, his name and likeness should not be used for commercial exploitation or any kind of official endorsement of products or services.

“Commercial exploitation would ordinarily refer to the use of Mr Lee’s name or image in mass merchandise for sale. Examples include medals or coins; clothing; household linen or similar articles; furnishing material; paper or any other material that may be used for wrapping or packaging purposes; and adhesive tape,” read the guidelines, which were issued in March 2016.

Lee, who was Singapore’s first prime minister and held the post from 1959 to 1990, died on March 23 in 2015 at the age of 91.

On Monday at around 12.45pm, The Singapore Mint — a fully owned subsidiary of utilities and marine group Sembcorp Industries — issued a press statement saying that a medallion range will be released to mark Lee's fifth death anniversary.

It added that the items were open for pre-orders from Monday until March 15 at all of its retail outlets and online store.

But by around 7pm the same day, the items were no longer available for pre-orders on The Singapore Mint's website, which carried a notice saying that the Pride of Singapore programme is suspended “until further notice”.

Pride of Singapore is the second issue of the Singapore Salute Series that serves to remind all of “Singapore’s humble history and reflects on the values which our nation is built on”, The Singapore Mint said in its press release.

The first issue of the series was launched to commemorate Sir Stamford Raffles during last year’s Singapore Bicentennial.

For the range featuring Lee Kuan Yew, there are four commemorative gold, silver and base-metal medallions priced between S$10 and S$1,888 each.

The gold and silver medallions are engraved with a silhouette of Lee, and the copper and nickel-plated zinc medallions depict sampans and Singapore’s skyline on their reverse side.

The Singapore Mint also offered made-to-order copper busts made in the likeness of Lee that are available in two sizes — 11cm and 43cm in height, though their prices were not stated in the press release.