SG50 Celebration Fund almost doubled with S$4m cash injection: Lawrence Wong

SINGAPORE — About S$9 million, or almost double the initially-announced S$5 million budget, has been allocated to support ground-up projects in celebration of Singapore’s 50th year of independence.

But the Government will pump in even more money should more worthy ideas pop up, said Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong, who is also chairman of the SG50 programme office, which coordinates the work of five different committees to plan the country’s Jubilee Year celebrations.

Some 330 project ideas have been approved for support from the Celebration Fund, triple that in January, the office said in an update today (May 13). The initial S$5 million budget went to 260 initiatives. Another 400 projects are either being reviewed or refined, the office added.

In an exclusive interview with Channel NewsAsia (CNA), Mr Wong said: “From now to August, I believe there will be more applicants because we are still seeing more interest. So I’m quite sure we will go beyond 330 and additional projects may need more support. If need be, we’ll put in additional budget to support that.”

The closing date for applications to tap on the Celebration Fund is Aug 1. Successful projects can receive subsidies of up to 90 per cent of expenditures, capped at S$50,000.

Examples of projects that are being supported by the Celebration Fund include a pictorial book with DVDs depicting the evolution of Singapore Hokkien opera. Another involves an attempt to get Singaporeans to share their dreams and wishes for the country on boards that would be used to create a collage in the shape of the country’s map.

In the CNA interview, Mr Wong said the death of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in March brought Singapore together and heightened their appreciation of the Singapore Story. Some SG50 events organised during and after Mr Lee’s passing were adjusted to reflect a nation in mourning, he added.

“We should move on and continue with the programmes we have planned. I believe this is what Mr Lee would have wanted anyway,” said Mr Wong. “We’ll find ways to pay tribute and to honour him. For example, we’ll do that during the SEA Games opening ceremony and for the National Day Parade.”

On the SG50 events that have been held in the last five months, the Minister said there has been positive feedback. There is also strong interest from the public to do something special to mark the nation’s Golden Jubilee, he added.

But some Singaporeans are taking advantage of the specially-designated long weekend to get away — something Mr Wong hopes they will reconsider. 

This year, National Day falls on a Sunday, making Aug 10 a public holiday. President Tony Tan Keng Yam had declared Aug 7 a public holiday as part of the Jubilee celebrations, making it a four-day weekend.

“You can find a long weekend easily and will be able to make holiday plans. But you will never get another chance to celebrate Singapore’s Golden Jubilee again,” said Mr Wong.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity during the Jubilee weekend to be in Singapore and to celebrate Singapore’s 50th birthday together with fellow Singaporeans, together with your family and friends.” CHANNEL NEWSASIA