NDP 2016 to cost $39.4m, no Red Lions for safety reasons
PUBLISHED ONFebruary 29, 2016 8:25 AM
SINGAPORE - The National Day Parade (NDP) held at the National Stadium this year will cost $39.4m.
Speaking in Parliament on Monday (Feb 29), Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said that previous NDPs at the Marina Bay Floating Platform cost between $15.7 million to $17.9 million. The cost of NDP at the Padang in 2010 was $20.6 million and the figure amounted to $40.5 million for last year's SG50 celebrations.
Dr Ng added that half of the total cost is set aside for the show segment. However, the venue cost this year has more than tripled from four per cent in previous years to 15 per cent this year.
During his speech, Dr Ng also mentioned that some of the public's favourites will not be included at this year's show, which he said "calls for a different format".
The Red Lions will not be free-falling and parachuting down the National Stadium because of safety reasons. The mobile column that showcases the convoy of military vehicles will also be absent from the show.
This year's NDP will be the first to be held at the National Stadium in Kallang, 10 years after the last parade had taken place in the old National Stadium before it was torn down.
A total of about 275,000 Singaporeans are expected to watch the National Education shows, preview show and NDP 2016.
stephluo@sph.com.sg