NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked Mr Ong Teng Cheong, Minister without portfolio, what is the justification for celebrating Singapore's National Day this year from June to December and what the celebrations are expected to cost the taxpayers.

The Minister without Portfolio (Mr Ong Teng Cheong): Mr Speaker Sir, there is no plan to celebrate Singapore's National Day this year from June to December. So the question of the Member is irrelevant.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Mr Speaker, Sir, there was an announcement -

Mr Speaker: I would like to have your supplementary question, Mr Jeyaretnam.

Mr Jeyaretnam: May I ask the Minister what is it that he plans to celebrate from June to December this year which was announced in the papers?

Mr Ong Teng Cheong: Mr Speaker, Sir, as usual, the Member got his facts wrong. Nevertheless, perhaps I will help him with the question. He wants to know what is the justification for celebrating 25 years of nation building this year from June to December. Is that right?

Mr Jeyaretnam: I want to know what you are celebrating?

Mr Ong Teng Cheong: What is your question? Are you talking about National Day celebrations or you are talking about whatever we are celebrating? We have a lot of celebrations from June to December this year. I am trying to help you with your question. I believe what you want to know is the justification for celebrating Singapore's 25 years of nation building this year from June to December. This is what I announced not very long ago to the press. Is that your question?

Mr Jeyaretnam: Mr Speaker, Sir, did he not announce - and it has been repeated ad nauseam in the papers - that we are celebrating our nationhood? Is that what we are celebrating? Maybe if we are not celebrating that, then may I know what is it that we are celebrating?

Mr Ong Teng Cheong: Mr Speaker, Sir, the question submitted by the Member is about National Day Celebration this year. Anyway, I will explain why we are celebrating 25 years of nation building this year, not what is printed in the Order Paper here.

Singapore achieved internal self-government on 3rd June, 1959 when the Singapore (Constitution) Order-in-Council came into operation. The process of nation building has continued unabated since, and much progress has been made in the economic, social and defence spheres. Singaporeans have every reason to look back to the past with pride as they contributed to these achievements. It is therefore fining that Singaporeans celebrate 25 years of nation building.

The celebrations will begin with an SBC show at the City Hall on 2nd or 3rd of June and end with a month-long National Exhibition in November/December this year. National Day is one of the Celebration events. The other events, including sporting items, exhibitions, variety shows and parades, are all aimed to allow for mass participation. Singaporeans can be proud of what they have achieved over the past 25 years, and they have every right to rejoice and to participate in the celebration.

Most of the events are annual affairs to be adapted and tailored to fit in with the National Celebration. Private organizations are encouraged to plan and finance their own programmes or sponsor some of the national events.

The Government is expected to spend a net amount of $11 million on account of the National Celebrations. The bulk of this sum, about $8 million, will go towards meeting the cost of a month-long National Exhibition to be held at the World Trade Centre. The balance is for organizing shows, sporting events, parades, publications, publicity and the printing of promotional materials.

The National Exhibition will be the largest ever held in Singapore. It will occupy three exhibition halls and an open exhibition area totalling 34,000 sq metres. It will feature the physical transformation of Singapore with emphasis on the tangible developments of the last 25 years and of the things to come.

Mr Jeyaretnam: May I ask the Minister whether Singaporeans have been asked to celebrate nation building or 25 years of domination by the PAP?

Mr Ong Teng Cheong: Sir, I do not wish to repeat what has been said. What V!e have achieved over the past 25 years is something that Singaporeans can be proud of and Singaporeans will be celebrating 25 years of nation building this year.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Mr Speaker, Sir, may I ask the Minister what is his basis for this glib statement that Singaporeans are all very anxious - it appears from his pronouncements that Singaporeans are all ready and eager to celebrate this 25 years of nation building at a cost of $11 million. May I ask what is there for them to celebrate?

Mr Ong Teng Cheong: Mr Speaker, Sir, I believe all Singaporeans have the right, as anybody else, to celebrate their National Day, or nation building. If the Member for Anson does not wish to celebrate nation building and if he does not feel that he has contributed anything to nation building for the last 25 years, by all means, he does not have to take part. There is no need for him to behave like a sour grape.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Mr Speaker, Sir, it is not a question of sour grapes. Mr Speaker, Sir, do the taxpayers have a say or not? May I ask the Minister, do the taxpayers have a say in this expense of $11 million? If they have a say, are you going to give them a say? The only way that you can give them a say is to have a referendum for this expenditure of $11 million.

Mr Ong Teng Cheong: Mr Speaker, Sir, Singaporeans will have a say. We will wait and see the crowd that turns up.