PERMANENT RESIDENCE FOR SPECIAL PASS HOLDERS (Request for)

Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education whether he will consider granting permanent residence to a Special Pass holder whose family includes permanent residents or Singapore citizens.

The Minister for Home Affairs and Education (Mr Chua Sian Chin): Mr Speaker, Sir, Special Pass holders are normally persons who are unable to prove their lawful presence in Singapore but are allowed to remain here on purely compassionate grounds. Where the grant of permanent residence is concerned, they are treated on the same basis as others who are staying here lawfully on other types of immigration passes. Special Pass holders cannot claim special privilege over these other people who may also have family ties in Singapore.

The grant of permanent residence is governed by the provisions of the Immigration (Prohibition of Entry) Order, 1973. Family roots is only one factor when considering applications for permanent residence. Much will depend on whether the applicant has special skill and can contribute or have contributed to the well-being of the country. Generally, a Special Pass holder who is a professional or skilled person, the wife of a Singapore citizen, or a child under the age of six of a Singapore citizen, is eligible for the grant of permanent resident status. Alternatively, if he is a male of national service age, he can also be considered for permanent residence provided he signs up for regular service in the SAF.

During the last five years, 400 persons who were previously on Special Passes were granted permanent residence. They included those whose families are made up of Singapore citizens or permanent residents.

Mr Teong Eng Siong (Sembawang): ( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, in his reply the Minister says that those with special skills or technical skills or those who sign up for national service will be given consideration for permanent residence. I would like to ask the Minister whether those who are, say, above 30 years want to join national service or any uniformed organisation, will be considered for permanent residence.

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, if the Member for Sembawang had listened to the answer carefully, he would have noticed that what I said was that consideration would be given on joining the SAF regular service, and not doing national service. If a male person is over 30 years old and if he is accepted as a regular of the SAF, then of course, he will be considered for the grant of permanent residence. But there is a difference between doing national service and being in the service of the SAF. I hope this clarifies the mind of the Member for Sembawang.