SINGAPORE CITIZENS TAKING UP DUAL CITIZENSHIP

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Dr Lee Tsao Yuan asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether the Government allows Singapore citizens to take up dual citizenship, i.e. the citizenship of another country as well as that of Singapore's.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs (Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government does not allow Singapore citizens to have dual citizenship.

Singapore is a young nation. We have not reached the stage of nationhood where a Singaporean with a second citizenship would still retain his identity and loyalty to Singapore as his homeland wherever he goes, his second citizenship being only of secondary importance.

Foreigners are granted Singapore citizenship only if they are committed to making Singapore their home, and see their long-term future with Singapore, in which case they should readily be prepared to give up their foreign nationality.

Dr Lee Tsao Yuan (Nominated Member): Does the Minister of State envisage that there would be any policy change in the conceivable future?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, the answer is no.

Mr Shriniwas Rai (Nominated Member): Would the Minister of State indicate to the House the countries in which Singapore citizens have acquired citizenship? And if the Government knows that they have acquired a foreign citizenship, what steps would the Government take to see that they either give up Singapore citizenship or the other country's citizenship, because I have known of countries where this has happened?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, if the Government comes to know of such people, they will be told to give up their foreign citizenship if they want to retain their Singapore citizenship.

Mr Simon S C Tay (Nominated Member): What is the Government's position as regards youths and others who acquire citizenship abroad by birth, in that sense, they are given dual citizenship? I am thinking here primarily of Singaporeans who go to work or live abroad for long periods and their children acquire citizenship by birth or other reasons under those countries' laws.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, for cases like that, children who are born overseas to Singapore parents, they hold dual citizenship until they have reached 21 years old and they are required to affirm an oath of loyalty before their 22nd birthday.