Dual Citizenship

Asst Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene asked the Prime Minister what are the necessary pre-conditions before Singapore is prepared to accept dual citizenships and what are the implications for Singaporean identity and national service.

Mdm Speaker, citizenship is a serious matter. Singaporeans enjoy rights and privileges as citizens, and are expected to uphold the duties

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and responsibilities that come with citizenship.

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

As Singaporeans, we count on one another to be loyal and if need be, to defend Singapore and fellow Singaporeans in our hour of need. We work together to build a brighter future for Singapore and Singaporeans.

Singapore is a small and young nation. It is all the more important that we are clear that our citizens have a long-term commitment to building a future together here. Allowing Singaporeans to retain or acquire a second citizenship is unlikely to enhance that commitment but could dilute it. We are not in a situation where allowing Singaporeans to hold dual citizenships would strengthen us as a people or a nation.

Mdm Speaker, I thank the Deputy Prime Minister for his reply. In light of the fact that we have a lot more Singaporeans in international marriages – I must say here that I am not an advocate; I am somewhat agnostic at this point in time – would not dual citizenship help to enable children of these international unions to have a connection with Singapore? I know that up to the age of 21 years that there is no such restriction but I think it is important for us to keep an open mind with regards to dual citizenship.

Mdm Speaker, I do not have a different view from Asst Prof Tan. I agree with him that we should not have dual citizenship at this point in time but that we should always keep an open mind.