SINGAPORE, April 8, 2009 (AFP) - Singapore will temporarily restrict payments for organ donations to its nationals to prevent wealthy locals from exploiting poor foreigners, a report said Wednesday.

Singapore last month introduced new legislation allowing compensation to donors after a local tycoon was jailed for a day for attempting to pay off an Indonesian man who planned to give him a kidney.

But some ruling-party deputies expressed fears the new law could lead to exploitation of poor foreigners and turn the city-state into a centre for organ trading.

"We don't want Singapore to be a rogue regime," The Straits Times quoted Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan as saying. "Let's not rush into it."

Under the new law, an organ recipient can voluntarily pay the donor to cover his or her expenses.

The health ministry says the new legislation brings Singapore into line with similar practices in the United States and Britain, where donors are financially compensated.