MIGRATION OF PERSONS BETWEEN SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA (Monthly returns and other particulars)

Mr Yeoh Ghim Seng asked the Minister for Labour (a) if he will give the monthly returns of migration between Singapore and Malaysia and the breakdown in this movement of persons according to ethnic, religious and age groups; (b) whether such persons moving into Singapore who change addresses are given the Singapore non-citizen (blue) identity cards; and (c) who are the persons who get non-citizen (blue) identity cards and how man) such cards have been issued to date.

Mr Jek Yeun Thong: Mr Speaker, Sir:

(a) Before I answer the hon. Member's question, I have to point out that the National Registration Office does not keep a record of figures of migration between Singapore and Malaysia by religious groups. The figures by ethnic and age groups are available from the 1st April, 1966, onwards. The statistical table* (* Appendix I, cols. 71-2.) which I submit herewith for circulation gives a distribution by race and age groups of 12,371 Malaysian identity card holders who have reported a change to Singapore addresses during the period 1st April, 1966, to 31st May, 1967.

[Statistical Table handed to Clerk] APPENDIX I(Cols 0071-0072)

Of the 12,371 persons who moved from West Malaysia to Singapore during this period, 9,827 were Chinese, 1,243 Malays, 1,137 Indians and Pakistanis, and 164 of other races. You will see from the table that the biggest number that came to Singapore was the age group of 16 to 29 years. This accounted for 8,098 persons of whom 6,491 were Chinese, 973 Malays, 572 Indians and Pakistanis, and 62 of other races. We have no doubt that they came to Singapore solely for the purpose of looking for jobs and better prospects. In addition to the 12,371 Malaysian identity card holders who have changed to Singapore addresses, there were 1,182 Malaysian identity card holders who have changed to Singapore identity cards. All of them were Singapore citizens. During the same period only 1,673 persons have moved from Singapore to Malaysia. This comprised 838 Singapore identity card holders who have changed to Malaysian identity cards, and 835 Singapore identity card holders who have changed to Malaysian addresses. The above figures showed that there was an immigration surplus to Singapore during the period April 1966 to May 1967 of 11,880 persons.

(b) Malaysian identity card holders who have reported a change of addresses are not issued with Singapore non-citizen identity cards. Section 24 (f) of the National Registration Regulation, 1966, exempts persons holding valid Malaysian identity cards from registering for the Singapore identity cards. These people are, therefore, not issued with Singapore non-citizen identity cards. They are, however, required to report to the Commissioner of National Registration their place of residence within 40 days of their arrival in Singapore and for every subsequent change of residence in Singapore.

(c) During the period of re-registration of the population from 5th May, 1966, to 31st January, 1967, non-citizens who are permanent residents and who are in possession of valid identity cards issued or deemed to be issued under the provisions of the Registry of Persons Ordinance, 1955, have to apply to be reregistered under the National Registration Act, 1965. These persons are issued with the new non-citizen plastic laminated blue identity cards. Up to the 28th June, 1967, 156,665 non-citizen identity cards have been issued.