In 2003, Singapore Media Development Board banned Singaporean artist Li Zhigang from exhibiting an oil painting called Double Happiness. This oil painting has a Singapore flag with the Chinese character "Double Happiness" written on it. The reason why the Singapore Media Development Board banned the exhibition of this oil painting is because the national flag of Singapore is a national symbol, and no words or pictures are allowed to be added to the national flag. On the other hand, Li Zhigang responded that his works only show that Singapore's success has brought joy to the people. In an interview with this newspaper, Li Zhigang said: I know that being a Singaporean citizen is not allowed to do this kind of thing, but I always thought it was just an artistic expression. At the same time, he complained that the government seems to have double standards in this matter, because China artist Gu Wenda once created a Singaporean flag art made of hair at the Binhai Art Center. In the same year, the Rolling Stones came to Singapore for a global tour. In the first performance, the designer arranged two sex dolls on the stage, and their crotch was covered with patterns, one of which was the logo of the Rolling Stones and the other was the national flag of Singapore. The designer removed these two sex dolls in the second performance because he was told that the Singapore flag was illegally used at this time.
In August 2007, a nightclub in Singapore sent an advertising email to at least 1500 members. In the email, a sexy beauty wore a red bathing suit and swimming trunks, and the patterns on the clothes made up five stars. This nightclub is called an advertising promotion method during the National Day celebration. Its manager told the media: This advertisement is definitely not an insult to the national flag or other individuals. I think this advertisement can symbolize this humorous and entertaining spirit. The Ministry of Information, Communication and Arts of Singapore conducted an investigation after learning about this incident, and finally concluded that this nightclub did not violate relevant laws, because its advertisement only contained some elements of the national flag. Nevertheless, the head of Singapore's Ministry of Information, Communication and Arts told the media that although the Ministry of Arts would not ban such advertisements, it would never encourage them, and everyone should maintain due respect for the national flag.