ENTRY PERMITS FOR MALAYSIANS WITH SINGAPORE CITIZEN FAMILIES

Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether he will grant an entry permit to a Malaysian citizen or a Malaysian permanent resident if the members of his family are either Singapore citizens or Singapore permanent residents.

The Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Chua Sian Chin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the grant of an entry permit for permanent residence in Singapore is governed by the provisions of the Immigration (Prohibition of Entry) Order, 1973. It is not a right but a privilege, and each case is processed and decided upon on its merits. Family roots are only one of the factors taken into consideration when assessing applications for permanent residence. Much will depend on whether an applicant has a skill or qualification which is needed in Singapore and can contribute or has contributed to the well-being of the country. Generally, applications from professionals or skilled persons for permanent residence are considered favourably. Male applicants who are of National Service age are also considered favourably provided they sign up for regular service in the SAF.

Mr Teo Chong Tee (Changi): Sir, may I ask the Minister whether special consideration will be given in the case of a single aged parent, all of whose children are either Singapore citizens or permanent residents?

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Sir, as I have said, each case will have to be treated on its own merits, There are a number of factors to be considered. If a sponsor has an aged parent, one of the factors we will have to consider is whether, after having granted the aged parent an entry permit, the aged parent is likely to become a liability to the State. The other factor to consider is whether the aged parent has got relatives or persons who can look after him. Sometimes we also do give consideration on grounds of compassion.

Mr Teo Chong Tee: Sir, may I further ask the Minister whether he could provide figures to show the number of such applications for entry permits which have been rejected, approved and pending during the last two years?

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Sir, I do not have the figures of applications approved and rejected for the last two years. I happen to have figures for the period from January 1977 to August 1979, which is more than the two-year period. For the period January 1977 to August 1979, 11,870 applications for permanent residence were approved. This compares very favourably with 4,021 applications which were rejected during the same period. In other words, 11,870 applications were approved as compared with 4,021 applications rejected.