CHIEF MINISTER (Display of Photograph)

Mr Lee Choon Eng asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that photographs of the Chief Minister have been displayed at

(a) Hokkien Hoay Kuan, Telok Ayer Street,

(b) Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Hill Street,

(c) Queenstown Community Association, Princess House, Queenstown,

by Registration Teams of the Singapore Citizenship Registry in front of applicants for registration as citizens and on tables at or near which such applicants are required to take their oaths, and whether he will state on whose authority the photographs have been so displayed and the reasons for such display.

Mr S. T. Stewart: Yes, Sir. The photographs of the Hon. the Chief Minister are displayed as he is the head of the elected Government. I hasten to assure the hon. Member that there is no sinister intention or Party propaganda in this display. This was a routine matter carried out by the Singapore Citizenship Registry and if anyone wishes to criticise the action taken, I am responsible as the Minister in charge of citizenship registration.

Mr Lee Choon Eng: Sir, is the Hon, the Chief Secretary suggesting that it is right on the part of the Government to place the photographs of a head of state, who is only an elected Chief Minister, in front of such registration teams?

Mr Speaker: That is a matter of opinion.