Consult Singaporeans before granting citizenships, MPs say

SINGAPORE — Seek out the views and endorsement of Singaporeans before granting non-citizens citizenships, two Members of Parliament suggested in Parliament today.

Speaking at the Prime Minister’s Office Committee of Supply debate today, Mr Ang Wei Neng, an MP with Jurong GRC, proposed having 10 Singapore “community assentors” for an applicant seeking Singapore Citizenship. After the applicant satisfies the current eligibility criteria, Mr Ang felt that there could be further endorsements from the community, such as the applicant’s acquaintances in the workplace and neighbourhood.

Said Mr Ang: “If we are accepting newcomers to join the Singaporean core, surely it makes sense for existing members of the core to express their views on the matter.”

Elaborating on his proposal, Mr Ang also noted that there needs to be rules for this scheme to work fairly. For instance, he suggested that the assentors could be from different races or be a Singaporean citizen by birth.

“In other words, I am suggesting that we create some meaningful roles for the community in the naturalisation of new citizens,” he added.

Likewise, Marine Parade MP Fatimah Lateef asked for between five and 10 supporters for the applicant. They could come from different ethnic group, and might be the the applicants’ colleagues or neighbours, she said.

Given the decision to be a citizen is a “critical” and long-term one, Dr Fatimah asked for the process of citizenship appointment to be reviewed, adding some components for Singaporeans to be included.

“This is in line with giving Singaporeans a stake in the decision making process and empowering them,” she said.