APPLICATIONS FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE FROM HONG KONG RESIDENTS (Particulars)

Dr Wong Kwei Cheong asked the Minister for Home Affairs, as at the latest available date, (a) how many Hong Kong residents have applied for Singapore permanent residence; (b) how many of them have been granted permanent residence; and (c) how many of these successful applicants have settled in Singapore.

The Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs (Dr Lee Boon Yang) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, between July 1989 when the scheme to attract Hong Kong talents was announced until 11th February this year, 20,038 applications for permanent residence were received from Hong Kong residents. Approval in-principle was given to 8,605 skilled workers and technicians under the newly liberalised scheme to attract such skilled workers from Hong Kong.

8,086 approvals in-principle have been granted to professionals who do not come under this scheme.

588 Hong Kong resident have taken up residence in Singapore.

Dr Wong Kwei Cheong (Cairnhill): Sir, may I ask the Senior Minister of State whether the figure of 8,086 for professionals is included in the overall figure of 20,038 that he has just announced?

Dr Lee Boon Yang: Mr Speaker, Sir, to answer the Member's question, I must refer him to the Ministry of Home Affairs' press statement on 10th July 1989 which announced the liberalisation of the rules on permanent residence. Sir, paragraph 2 of the press statement states:

'Up to now, graduates, professionals and entrepreneurs and their families can settle in Singapore under the Permanent Residence Scheme. The Government has now decided to offer permanent residence to technicians, craftsmen, skilled workers, white collar workers and self-employed persons.'

The statement then goes on to spell out the criteria. It is therefore obvious from the press statement that the figure of 25,000, which was subsequently released by our Commissioner in Hong Kong, does not include professionals who had all along been eligible for permanent residence.