In the latest chapter in a long-running battle between the Singapore Democratic Party leader and the government, Chee has taken his argument to Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng.

In a letter to Wong on Monday, Chee said police had twice issued statements saying he had violated the conditions for public speaking in Singapore during a speech last month, but no charges had been laid.

Chee faces a fine of up to S$10,000 (US$5464) if he is charged and found guilty of flouting a law banning the discussion of racial and religious issues at Singapore's sole free-speech plot.

Police have accused Chee of ignoring warnings and using the Speakers' Corner on February 15 to discuss the case of Muslim girls who have been suspended from primary school for wearing Islamic headscarves in class.

"It has been more than two weeks since I gave my speech. I would like to ask why it is taking so long for you to make up you mind on deciding whether I have breached any regulation," Chee said in his letter to Wong.

"If I have in fact broken the law, please charge me. Otherwise, I would like the police to make a statement clarifying the matter as well as give an apology stating that they were wrong to have interfered with my speech in the first place and giving the impression that I had committed an offence."

Topics relating to religion and race are banned at the Speakers' Corner in the tightly-regulated, multi-cultural Singapore where speakers must register in advance their intention to speak.

Chee, who has criticised the government's policy of banning Muslim girls from wearing headscarves, or tudung, in public schools, is no stranger to jail terms and fines in a lengthy struggle against the Singapore ruling party.

He is currently facing defamation suits by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew over remarks made during campaigning for last November's general election.

Chee has filed a counter-claim against Lee, also over remarks made during the election campaign.

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," they said in a statement.

"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."

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

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