SINGAPORE CITIZENSHIP (Granted to permanent residents on completion of National Service)

Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education (a) how many permanent residents have enlisted for full-time National Service since the implementation of the scheme to grant citizenship to permanent residents who have done full-time National Service; (b) how many of them have completed their Service; and (c) how many applications for citizenship from such persons (i) have been granted; (ii) are still under consideration; and (iii) have been rejected and the reasons therefor.

The Acting Minister for Home Affairs and Minister of State of Defence (Mr Bernard Chen) (for the Minister for Home Affairs and Education): Sir, national service for permanent residents born on or after 1st January, 1949, was introduced in July 1973. Since then, a total of 3,198 permanent residents have been enlisted for full-time National Service. Of these, 2,811 have completed their service and 2,564 have applied for citizenship. 2,481 such persons have been granted citizenship. 71 applications are still under consideration while 12 applications have been rejected. Of the 12 applications rejected, 11 were on the ground that they did not complete their National Service satisfactorily while one was because the applicant did not have the requisite five years' residence.