NATIONAL LION SYMBOL (Response to use)

Dr Arthur Beng Kian Lam asked the Minister for Communications and Information what the response has been from both the public and private sectors to the use of our National Symbol, since it was launched in 1986.

Dr Yeo Ning Hong: Sir, since the National Lion Symbol was launched in July last year as an integral part of the National Day Celebrations, it has been well received by the public. This is evident by its wide usage by private corporations, community organizations as well as the public sector. You can see the Lion Symbol almost everywhere, on buses, taxis, banners, letterheads, and so forth.

To illustrate how popular the Symbol has been: Members will recall that earlier this year my Ministry produced some collar pins with the Lion Symbol and distributed them at the last National Day Parade to participants and spectators. The pins proved to be so popular that private and public sector organizations have, on their own, ordered an additional 200,000 pins for the use of their members and staff.

Nationwide, the response to the National Symbol has been very positive. So far, more than 150 organizations have used or are still using the Symbol in various ways in printed materials, advertisements, products and activities. I would like to thank all the organizations for taking pride in identifying themselves with our National Symbol and in their own way publicly declaring their loyalty to Singapore. I hope more organizations will follow their lead.

Sir, with your permission, I would ask the Clerk of Parliament to circulate a list of items which have incorporated our National Lion Symbol.

[Copies of document distributed to hon. Members.]

These examples will make it easier for other organizations to use their ingenuity to develop new ways of using the National Symbol.