Police said Saturday they had launched an investigation after Chee ignored warnings and proceeded to discuss at the Speakers' Corner the case of three Muslim girls who have been suspended from school for wearing Islamic headscarves in class. (Text of speech)  

"The police will be commencing investigation since a contravention of the Speakers' Corner conditions had been committed," the Singapore Police Force said in a statement.

The patch of green at Hong Lim Park bordering the business district was designated by the government 17 months ago as a Speakers' Corner where Singaporeans can make public speeches without having to get a license.

However, topics relating to religion and race are banned in the tightly controlled multi-cultural state and the speaker must register in advance his intention to speak.

Chee, leader of the opposition Singapore Democratic Party, has criticised the government's policy of banning Muslim girls from wearing headscarves, or tudung, in public schools, saying that cultural diversity should be allowed.

Three first-grade girls have been suspended after their parents insisted that they go to school wearing the headgear in violation of a policy aimed at promoting racial harmony. A fourth one stayed away from school.

Their case has triggered a debate in this multi-ethnic island, where race relations have been under stress since the September 11 attacks in the United States by suspected Islamic extremists.

It also attracted critical comments from Singapore's largely Muslim neighbours Malaysia and Brunei.

Police said they warned Chee that discussing the headscarf issue would violate the Speakers' Corner conditions.

"We heard him (speak) on the tudung issue, despite having acknowledged our earlier advice," the statement said.

"Our officer then interrupted him again to remind him that he would be contravening the conditions of the Speakers' Corner. In spite of this, he continued."

Singapore's population is composed of 77 percent ethnic Chinese, 7.7 percent Indians, and 14 percent Malays, most of whom follow Islam. The rest are Eurasians and other minorities.

Muslim students are free to wear headscarves once they leave school premises.

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