SINGAPORE CITIZENSHIP (Applications from persons with more than 15 years' residence)

Inche Rahmat Bin Kenap asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour whether he is aware that many applications for Singapore citizenship from persons, who have more than 15 years' residence here, and who have families of their own, have been rejected; and whether the Government will reconsider such cases and assure the persons concerned, where applicable, that they will not be deprived of their jobs.

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, the hon. Member is fully aware that length of residence in Singapore is not the only criterion for the grant of citizenship. The Minister informed this House in May last year that a person who has the necessary residential qualification will not automatically be granted Singapore citizenship, and he also indicated the policy on the grant of citizenship. This is contained in Hansard of 21st May, 1968, Volume 27, No. 7, Col. 345.

Non-Singapore citizens can still work in Singapore if they are drawing a basic salary of less than $750 per month. They will have to apply for work permits. I can assure the hon. Member that it is not the intention of Government to deprive people of their jobs if they are useful to our economy.