CITIZENS' CHILDREN BORN OUTSIDE SINGAPORE (Permanent residence in Singapore)

Inche Abdul Aziz Karim asked the Minister for Defence if he will permit an infant born outside Singapore to enter and reside permanently in the Republic if either of his parents is a Singapore citizen and is permanently residing in Singapore.

The Minister for Defence (Mr Lim Kim San): Mr Speaker, Sir, under category 5 of the Schedule to the Immigration (Prohibition of Entry) Order, 1966, any child under six years of age of a Singapore citizen may be considered for the issue of an entry permit to enter and reside permanently in the Republic. Applications for such entry permits are considered on the merits of each case.

Inche Abdul Aziz Karim (Kallang): Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Minister consider the case under file reference IMS/ENT/536/66?

Mr Speaker: What was your question, Inche Aziz? I think the Minister might like you to repeat those figures?

Inche Abdul Aziz Karim: The application was made by a father for the entry of his son, Haja Maideen. I have just given the file reference of his application. The application was made in 1966.

Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, if the Member will write and give me the relevant reference number, I will surely look into the case.

Mr Ho See Beng (Bras Basah): Can the Minister explain why a child under six years of age of a citizen cannot be given permanent residence in Singapore as of right, and why his application is a matter for "consideration" by the Immigration Department?

Mr Lim Kim San: Sir, first and foremost, the Immigration Department has to consider whether the child has a claim. He may be born in Singapore but we have first to look into his claim. Also, can the Member for Bras Basah guarantee that every child who claims to be born in Singapore and wants to reside here will be well looked after?

Mr Ho See Beng: Sir, I think the Minister has not understood my question. I said that if a child is born outside Singapore of a resident citizen of Singapore, why cannot he be made a resident of Singapore as of right, and why must his application be subject to further consideration by the Immigration Department?

Mr Lim Kim San: Sir, if the Member had listened carefully, he would have heard my answer. My answer is: can the Member guarantee that every child who claims to be born in Singapore will be well looked after if he or she comes into Singapore?

Mr Ho See Beng: Mr Speaker, Sir, we must not forget that we are a socialist Government, and looking after the well-being of all our citizens is not the job of a Member of Parliament.

Mr Lim Kim San: Sir, we are not going to allow further charges on the public funds if we can help it.