NATIONAL DAY FUNCTION AT THE ISTANA

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Prime Minister whether he will allow opposition Members of Parliament to invite their grassroots leaders to attend the National Day function hosted by the President of Singapore at the Istana.

The Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office (Mr Chan Soo Sen) (for the Prime Minister): Sir, the National Day Reception at the Istana is hosted by the President to celebrate our National Day with representatives of key institutions in the public sector. Invitations are also extended to those who have made significant contributions to Singapore's development in the various fields, including from the arts, sports, the media, social/voluntary groups, the labour movement, professional bodies and business sector, as well as official grassroots organisations.

As a Member of Parliament, Mr Chiam See Tong is a representative of a key institution of our society. Hence, he and his wife are invited to the Reception. The key leaders from official grassroots organisations, including those from Potong Pasir, are also invited. The Reception is however not for political parties and their activists. Hence, those who help him in his constituency's political work are not invited.

The current guideline for invitation to the National Day Reception is rational and we feel that there is no need to change it.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, in fact, I attended one of these National Day functions and was asked by a PAP MP. He said, "Chiam, what happened to your grassroots? Why aren't they here?" I want to ask the Minister of State whether or not PAP grassroots leaders are invited, other than the ones that he has mentioned.

Mr Chan Soo Sen: Mr Speaker, Sir, I think I have provided answers to whatever questions the PAP MP has asked Mr Chiam. The answer is "no". I think as far as the PAP political party's activists are concerned, they would not be invited if they are only helping the PAP in their political work. I referred to official grassroots organisations. These are the grassroots leaders appointed by the People's Association under the People's Association Act. That is what I referred to as official grassroots organisations.

Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong: Sir, may I ask the Minister of State whether civil society activists like the Roundtable, AWARE, Think Centre, etc, would be invited to the function?

Mr Chan Soo Sen: Civil society activists are invited but not all, because there are so many of them and the Istana ground is limited in space. They are invited from time to time. For different years, we invite different groups. I do not think the Think Centre has been invited yet.

Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong: Would they be considered for invitation, Sir?

Mr Chan Soo Sen: We are not considering them for the time being.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, are the invitations sent out directly to the grassroots leaders or through the MPs?

Mr Chan Soo Sen: Invitations are sent directly to the grassroots leaders invited, not through the MPs.

Mr Low Thia Khiang (Hougang): How does the President's Office formulate the guest list? Does it accept recommendations from Members of Parliament?

Mr Chan Soo Sen: They do not accept recommendations from Members of Parliament. For the official grassroots leaders, they accept recommendations from the People's Association.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Can I clarify with the Minister of State that for these functions, MPs have got no role to play with regard to the invitations?

Mr Chan Soo Sen: MPs, as advisors to the grassroots organisations, do have a role to play in recommending grassroots leaders to be invited, but the final list is worked out by the People's Association before it is sent to the President's Office.