MIGRATION OF SINGAPORE CITIZENS

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MIGRATION OF SINGAPORE CITIZENS:

(Exit interview): 13.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs in view of the large number of people applying for the Certificate of No Criminal Conviction in 2007 with about 68% intending to migrate (a) whether the Ministry will consider conducting an exit interview for Singapore citizens intending to migrate to other countries to ascertain their reasons for doing so; and (b) whether the Government has any plans to reduce the number of Singapore citizens migrating.

The Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs (Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee) (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, we share Mr Lim's sentiments about the importance of ascertaining the reasons why our citizens migrate to other countries, and to take steps to mitigate any push factors.

When a Singaporean seeks to renounce his citizenship, either at the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, or at our Overseas Missions, our officers will engage him and try and find out his reasons for wanting to do so. The reasons for renouncing Singapore Citizenship vary, ranging from marriage to foreigners, to wanting to live in a different environment. We also take the opportunity to advise him to take some time to reconsider his decision.

Nevertheless, we recognise that a person's decision to renounce his citizenship is usually not taken lightly, and he is likely to have thought through the issue. The Government respects his

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decision, however much we would like him to remain our citizen. We are thus mindful to approach such requests to give up Singapore citizenship in a sensible manner without making the process too onerous.

Sir, we focus our efforts on ensuring that Singapore remains an attractive place in all aspects, and that this is the best home for our people, so that Singaporeans would not even contemplate giving up their citizenship. We are reputed to be one of the safest cities in the world and have built up a world-class infrastructure, developed excellent education and healthcare systems. These are big advantages of living in Singapore that Singaporeans sometimes take for granted.

Beyond the fundamentals, we must ensure that there are sufficient employment opportunities for all Singaporeans. We should also press on with our efforts to make Singapore an exciting and vibrant place to live in.

Sir, the Government cannot stop Singaporeans from emigrating. Our education system which teaches in the English language makes them mobile. As a result, some Singaporeans will work and live overseas. We make every effort to keep in touch with them. One such effort is the setting up of the Overseas Singapore Unit (OSU) which drives, coordinates and monitors efforts of our various agencies in their engagement with overseas Singaporeans. The vision is to facilitate the coming together of an inter-connected overseas Singaporean diaspora. This includes Singaporeans who have given up their citizenship.

Sir, in the final analysis, it is about building the Singapore community and working towards a common future, to make Singapore a better place to live in, a place we can proudly call home.