"The vast majority of Singaporeans are not ready and do not accept the formation of groups who may, amongst other things, be seen to promote gay or alternative lifestyles which the majority of Singaporeans are not comfortable with," Minister of State for National Development Vivian Balakrishnan said.

"So we will not register People Like Us."

The government this month rejected the latest attempt by People Like Us, which was formed in 1992 and is one of the Singapore's oldest gay activist groups, to be registered as a society.

Despite the ban on gay activist groups, Balakrishnan said ethnically diverse Singapore was now more open to new cultures and attitudes than in the 1980s.

"If you look at Singapore today in terms... a decade or two decades ago, we certainly have a Singapore today that is more tolerant of diversity," he said.

Balakrishnan highlighted Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong's public remarks last year that homosexuals are now allowed to work in the public service.

However Goh said that although the government intended to relax its attitude to homosexuality, it would not be decriminalised because of opposition from the Muslim community and the majority of other Singaporeans.

Balakirishnan was speaking at a press conference to discuss the government's "Remaking Singapore" campaign, which seeks community input to modify Singapore's society and economy to make the country more competitive.

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