RENUNCIATION OF SINGAPORE CITIZENSHIP (Particulars)

Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for Home Affairs how many Singapore citizens have renounced their citizenship in order to emigrate and acquire citizenship of other countries for the years 1986, 1987 and 1988.

The Minister for Home Affairs (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Mr Speaker, Sir, for the years 1986, 1987 and 1988, 773, 1046 and 892 Singapore citizens respectively have renounced their citizenship to take up citizenship of other foreign countries. The reason why I worded my answer as people who have renounced their citizenship to take up citizenship of other foreign countries is, first, we do not know the reasons for many of them who had renounced. Secondly, many who emigrate do not necessarily renounce their citizenship.