NATIONAL REGISTRATION FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Labour when the National Registration for the new identity card will be completed, and what are the latest available breakdown figures in respect of citizens and non-citizens of the Republic.

The Acting Minister for Labour (Mr E. W. Barker): The registration for new plastic laminated identity cards is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The latest available breakdown figures up to and including the 25th November this year are as follows: Citizens 1,041,330 Non-citizens 125,376

Mr Ho See Beng: Is the Minister aware that prior to the pronouncement of Government regarding citizens by descent, those who have passed the age of 21 have to take an oath of allegiance, or else they would not be entitled to apply for citizenship? I understand that a number of this category of citizens who went to the Identity Card Office to change their identity cards were not allowed to change their identity cards. Is the Minister aware of this matter?

Mr Barker: Mr Speaker, Sir, this matter raised by the Member for Bras Basah, in my view, is completely irrelevant to the question I am answering. But if he will put another question to the House, I will be prepared to answer it some other day. This is a question on the number of citizens and non-citizens who have been registered. I am not aware of the cases to which the Member has referred.

Mr Speaker: I think Mr Ho's question deals with problems that have arisen since last Friday as a result of the Constitution Modification Order.

Mr Barker: That is correct. Surely it does not come under this head.

Mr Ho See Beng: Mr Speaker, Sir, I know it is not very relevant, but I think it is relevant in this connection, that all those citizens who have passed the age of 21 prior to the pronouncement of Government about citizens by descent have to take an oath of allegiance. When these people went to the Identity Card Office to apply for a change of identity card, they were rejected. What are we going to do with these rejected persons?

Mr Barker: I am not aware of any such citizens who have been so rejected. But if any such case should arise, I can assure the Member for Bras Basah that any such person claiming citizenship by descent will be given the opportunity to swear allegiance if he has not sworn allegiance in the past. Perhaps the Member is referring to cases who have passed the age of 22. They are supposed to swear within the one-year period. I think the Member is worried about such cases. I can assure him that even in those cases the persons concerned will be given every opportunity to swear an oath of allegiance.

Mr Yeoh Ghim Seng (Joo Chiat): I understand there are a number of aliens in this country, Sir, with forged new identity cards. Is the Minister aware of that?

Mr Barker: No, Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not aware of any cases of forged new identity cards. There are many cases of forged old identity cards. One of the objects of introducing the new laminated identity cards is to prevent easy forgery. If what the Member for Joo Chiat is saying is true, it must be rather disturbing and I will be happy to investigate any such allegations.

Mr Speaker: I am sure the House is grateful to the Minister in his condition for having gone outside the ambit of the original question.