Dr Lee Boon Yang, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, took pains to stress this point yesterday, when three MPs raised the issue in Parliament.

The choir, which had six foreigners among its 50 members, wanted to sing about issues such as the Central Provident Fund.

The lyrics had received the official nod.

But in January, the ministry told the choir it could not go ahead as foreigners should not get involved in domestic politics.

It led Ms Irene Ng (Tampines GRC) to remark yesterday: 'Mica's decision to clamp down on foreigners in this group jarred like a chalk screeching across a board.'

In today's global world, collaborations between arts groups from different parts of the world are part of the creative process, she said.

'With a better-educated and more cosmopolitan population, should we not allow our citizens to listen to different views wherever they come from and make their own judgment?' she asked.

'Beyond the two subjects which should stay off-limits - race and religion - why should we fear foreign talents working with our arts groups to produce something that may touch on life and politics in Singapore?'

Dr Lee replied that the objection was to 'the idea of foreigners coming here to organise and to lead Singaporeans to complain about our domestic issues'.

'We did not think it was desirable or good precedent for foreigners to take such a lead,' he said.

'Nevertheless, I would like to assure Ms Irene Ng and the House that Mica encourages our artists to collaborate with foreign artists and arts companies.'

Hence the ministry supported artists with overseas residence programmes and co-productions. It recognised the benefit of working with international artists, Dr Lee added.

'The Complaints Choir was an exception to the rule and not a precedent for foreigners' participation or lack thereof in the arts in Singapore. In general, we consider such applications favourably.'

The Complaints Choir concept was started by a Finnish duo and has been introduced in other cities. Choir members create their own song on what they are displeased about.

In Singapore, the performance was organised by Singapore theatre group The Necessary Stage.

This point was highlighted by Nominated MP Siew Kum Hong, who asked Dr Lee to 'clarify how that constituted interference in Singapore politics when the lyrics were all done by the Singaporean members of the choir'.

The minister said: 'In this instance, we understood it as an event that would be led or directed by the two foreigners in this case.'

He also assured the House that Mica would take a light touch in regulating such arts performances.

Mr Baey Yam Keng (Tanjong Pagar GRC) also alluded to the incident's impact on Singapore's image, saying 'the public outcry and negative international visibility seems to do us more discredit'.

Mica Senior Minister of State Balaji Sadasivan replied: 'Part of our branding is the law and order we have... and the fact that everybody has to comply with the law.

'This is part of our reputation and it's not a bad part of our brand value.'