MALE SINGAPOREANS MARRYING NON-SINGAPORE CITIZENS (Particulars)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Labour (a) how many male Singaporeans have applied for approval to contract marriage with non-Singapore citizens up to 28th February, 1977 have been approved; (c) what are the reasons for rejecting applications; (d) how many applications have been approved subject to the contracting parties accepting sterilization after the birth of the second child; and (e) whether he is satisfied with this policy.

The Minister of State for Labour (Mr Sia Kah Hui) (for the Minister for Labour): Mr Speaker, Sir, in answer to questions (a) to (e):

(a) Up to 28th February this year, there were 5,968 marriage applications from male Singaporeans;

(b) Of these, 4,649 applications have been approved;

(c) 1,319 applications were rejected because the work permit holder did not meet policy requirements, i.e. working in Singapore for less than five years where the work permit holder was an unskilled worker;

(d) So far 1,107 marriage cases have been approved under the sterilisation scheme, i.e, where the contracting parties have accepted sterilisation on the birth of the second child;

(e) The Ministry is satisfied with the work permit marriage policy. The policy is being monitored closely, and if developments warrant changes, such changes will be made.

Mr Hwang Soo Jin (Jalan Kayu): Sir, can the Minister of State inform this House whether it is true to say that there has been a change in the policy requiring both contracting parties to be sterilised? Why both?

Mr Sia Kah Hui: Sir, there has been no change in the sterilisation scheme when it was first started right up to now. I think my Minister had explained the other day in this House why both parties had to be sterilised, rather than one party. I do not think I need to repeat.