LUNAR NEW YEAR GARDEN PARTY (Costs)

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Acting Minister for Community Develop- ment how much the Lunar New Year Garden Party of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence held at the Istana on the 15th February, 1986 cost the taxpayer.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Mr Speaker, Sir, a sum of $30,581.50 was spent for the Lunar New Year Garden Party.

The function was held by the Government to thank some 3,800 grassroots leaders, representatives of voluntary welfare organizations, unions, cultural and clan associations and volunteers for their unstinting contributions and service to the community.

That there are so many people amongst us who care sufficiently for the well-being of their fellow men is a credit to our nation. The amount spent to show the Government's appreciation of the contributions of these concerned individuals and organizations is nothing compared to the time, effort and money they contributed and raised for the benefit of the community.

For example, in 1985 alone, the Citizens' Consultative Committees raised and gave away more than $1 million in the form of welfare benefits, scholarships and bursaries to 7,828 people. This is in addition to their leadership role in promoting mass participation in national campaigns and community projects. The Residents' Committees organized no fewer than 5,600 community activities in 1985 for more than 700,000 participants. These activities served to promote neighbourliness and met the social, recreational and cultural needs of the HDB residents.

Mr Chiam See Tong (Potong Pasir): They get priority for HUDC flats!

Mr Jeyaretnam: May I ask the Acting Minister for Community Development why was it necessary to duplicate this? And would he have the figures for the amount spent for the dinner that was held a week later hosted by the Prime Minister? Would he tell us whether the same people were invited to the dinner or whether they were a different category? Thirdly, would he tell us whose bright idea it was to involve the President of Singapore in the function which he says was organized by the Government to thank the people on the 15th February 1986?

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not have the data or information on how much was spent for the party given by the Prime Minister. If he wants, he can raise another question and I will answer it. As far as I know, the people who attended the two functions were not the same, although they might have come from the same organizations.

Mr Jeyaretnam: First class and second class.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: As to why the President himself was involved, I think the President himself wanted to meet the volunteers or community leaders who have given so much of their time to the nation. I think it is something that he thinks it is worth doing, and that is why he was present.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Do I understand from the Acting Minister that it was the President's own wish to be involved in this and that it was not a request to him to grace the Government's function? Secondly, does the Government realize that it would be wrong to involve the President in Government's functions and activities?

Mr Wong Kan Seng: I do not know what is wrong if the President were to involve himself with the functions organized by the Government for the people. He is the President of the country. And I also do not know why the Member for Anson wants to begrudge the precious little that we give to these volunteers for their magnanimity, their generosity and the time that they give to the people.