PASSPORTS TO SINGAPORE CITIZENS

Mr David Marshall asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether any citizen of Singapore has been refused a passport since 1st June, 1959, and the number of such applications refused.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, as far as can be ascertained from the records, there have been since 1st June, 1959, 15 cases of Singapore citizens who were refused passports.

Mr David Marshall: Could the Minister indicate the reasons for such refusal and whether it is normal constitutionally to refuse exit permits to citizens?

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, these persons were refused passports because (1) there were security objections against them which made it undesirable for them to be given facilities to go abroad, or (2) they were persons of doubtful standing and reliability who may cause the Government embarrassment abroad. To quote an example. There were in the past hitch-hikers of doubtful means who were stranded abroad and had subsequently to be repatriated to Singapore at public expense after causing considerable embarrassment in the country to which they had gone. Mr Speaker, Sir, the issue of passports is a privilege and not a right.