A Singapore minister’s quip in parliament that top officials had no time to go to the cinema has drawn heated public discussion, with some in the local arts scene saying the comment risked downplaying the importance of the cultural sector.Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo was responding to questions in parliament on Tuesday about the administration’s stance on Chinese dialects in films, when he joked in Mandarin: “First of all, ministers don’t have time to watch movies.”Workers’ Party member Kenneth Tiong had earlier asked officials if they caught the Teochew or Mandarin-dubbed version of Chinese blockbuster Dear You.The opposition MP had also asked if the government’s objective was to promote Mandarin or restrict dialects, and if restrictions on the use of dialects – including those regarding films – would be removed. He also asked if the government would expand the reach of dialect classes conducted by clan associations.In Singapore, dialect films are allowed on a case-by-case basis, and Chinese productions meant for theatrical release should generally be in Mandarin. These rules are in line with the Speak Mandarin Campaign, launched in 1979, and have restricted the use of dialects such as Hokkien and Cantonese in films, television and radio.Chinese director Lan Hongchun (fourth from left) and the cast of “Dear You” speak at the film’s premiere in Singapore on June 17. Photo: XinhuaNeo followed up on his remark – which drew brief laughter in parliament – by saying that Singapore regularly worked with dialect clan associations.