Last year, Kit Chan was chosen and this was not her first time. I understand that this year's NDP song will be sung by none other than Stefanie Sun, who has also done the honours a few times before. I am puzzled as to why the NDP Committee does not offer other local talents a chance to showcase the nation's pride by singing these NDP songs. Artistes like A-Do, Joi Chua are also well-known names in the region.

I also wish to point out that local talents do not refer only to Chinese-language artistes. Our local talents include alternative rock band Electrico, which performed in the United States last year. And how about our Singapore Idol Hady Mirza who became a national hero when he took home the inaugural Asian Idol title? He became an icon not only in Singapore, but in the region as well.

Hady performed for the Youth Olympic Games 2010 Countdown, which exemplified his contribution to the local music scene. Even the prime minister acknowledged him in his New Year speech.

Stefanie Sun is a fine singer, and there is no doubt she is really popular. But Singapore music isn't just about her and Kit Chan. I hope the NDP Committee does something about this. If not, we are really not sending the right signal about local music.

Ong Been Tee