SINGAPORE CITIZENSHIP (Particulars of applications from trained teachers and Divs. I and II civil servants)

Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour (a) how many applications for Singapore Citizenship were received during the period 1st January, 1967, to 30th June, 1968, from (i) trained teachers in the four language streams; and (ii) Divisions I and II civil servants, other than teachers; (b) how many of the applicants have been interviewed; and (c) how many of the applications (1) were approved; (ii) were rejected; and (iii) are still under consideration.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Labour (Mr Sia Kah Hui) (for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have been asked by the Minister to reply.

The number of applications for Singapore citizenship received during the period 1st January, 1967, to 30th June, 1968, from trained teachers in the four language streams was 106. Of this number, 53 were from the English language stream, 24 from the Chinese language stream, 26 from the Malay language stream and three from the Indian language stream.

The number of applications received from Divisions I and II civil servants, other than teachers, during the same period was 55. The number on the racial basis comprises 39 Chinese, two Malays, nine Indians, four Ceylonese and one British.

The total number of applicants interviewed during the period was 161. Thirty-eight applications were approved up to the end of November 1968. Of this number, 10 were teachers and 28 were Divisions I and II civil servants. One application from a Division I civil servant who did not qualify residentially was rejected. One hundred and twenty-two applications are still under consideration.

Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi (Kampong Kembangan): (In Malay): How long will it take to make decisions on the applications which are still under consideration?

Mr Sia Kah Hui: I think this particular question refers to teachers. I can say that the applications from teachers will be decided very shortly.

Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi: (In Malay): How long is "very shortly"?

Mr Sia Kah Hui: I think within a month or so.