More foreigners taking up Singapore citizenship (Part II)
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More foreigners taking up Singapore citizenship
By Julia Ng,
Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 15 August 2007 2254 hrs
Larry Medina with daughter Erika
SINGAPORE: The number of babies born in Singapore in the first half of this year rose marginally to 18,488 from 18,294 in the same period last year.
But thanks to foreigners, Singapore's population has grown more than marginally.
Figures released by the National Population Secretariat showed that last year, over 13,209 foreigners were granted Singapore citizenship - 309 more than in 2005.
The number of permanent residents also jumped, from 52,300 in 2005 to 57,300 last year.
And to drive home the message that all Singaporeans share a common identity, a National Citizenship ceremony will be held this Saturday to swear in new citizens like Larry Medina and his family.
The 41-year-old accountant relocated his family from the US to Singapore seven years ago.
And it didn't take long for Larry and his Indonesian wife to decide that their future in Singapore will be brighter than in the US.
Larry said: "Certainly very complex decisions and the things that convinced us were: we expect the economies to continue to boom in Asia and Singapore is the best location to take advantage of that; my wife's family is close by as well, and all the usual things that people say about Singapore - that it's an easy place to live in, from the infrastructure perspective, and good schools for the kids, etc."
But choosing Singapore over US means that Larry has to relinquish his US citizenship, which he did recently and with few regrets.
Larry's wife, who is a Permanent Resident, has also applied for Singapore citizenship and hopes to be granted her pink Identity Card within months.
Their children get to keep their US citizenship till they turn 18 when they have to choose which country to call home.
Erika Medina, 7, is enrolled at a public primary school - Balestier Hill Primary - and lists Chinese lessons as one of her favourite subjects.
Her father is planning to send her 4-year-old brother to a public school too.
Singapore hopes to add about 40,000 citizens and 200,000 permanent residents to its fold over the next five years.
But attracting new migrants is only half the story.
With more immigrants from different cultures and backgrounds, integration of these new citizens becomes all the more vital.
Getting them involved in grassroots activities is one way to help new citizens like Maung Naig Win Kyaw bond with the community.
Maung came to Singapore from Myanmar 16 years ago.
The project engineer had not intended to settle down in Singapore.
But all that changed after he met his wife, who is a Singaporean.
Now, the 44-year-old is so involved in grassroots activities that he has become a close friend to many in his neighbourhood.
He said: "I enjoy helping the elderly people around this area. I feel that when I join the RC, Residents' Committee, I can contribute more for the elderly people....(like) helping them prevent dengue fever. Sometimes they call me to join them for tea, and I enjoy all these. I don't feel any difference between new citizens and local Singaporeans."
Maung and his six-year-old son received their Singapore citizenship last year.
And Maung will be adding another member to the Singapore family - his second child will be born next month. - CNA/ir -
Think the american must be saying, if you want political freedom, go to USA, and I will come to singapore to be a citizen.
Think it will be better if this country is not too crowded...
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our ppl wanna migrate, they wanna come in......
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Obviously a case of misinformation, those that live in Singapore most of their life should know more about Singapore than the foreigners.Originally posted by sg mata:our ppl wanna migrate, they wanna come in......
Most of the new citizens we attract are from third world countries, where the living conditions are much worse than Singapore.
I wonder how many of those that became citizens are from Nordic countries or other western industrialised countries. -
I also have a colleague , and I think I understand why he didn't made it in USA, he was previously working there as he always boasts of his extensive experience.
However his performance quality leaves nothing to be desired. How many such talents that other countries do not need that they are approving citizenships to?
No wonder our talents are leaving and are accepted elsewhere. -
Yes, we see so many more of China Chinese and India Indian than the westerners accepting citizenship of Singapore. This american is just the miserable minority who become citizen. All those "Angmos" I know of said they will never wanna become citizens. Singapore to them is a good place to work but not a good place to settle down. They don't agree with the way the local govt runs the country.Originally posted by maurizio13:Obviously a case of misinformation, those that live in Singapore most of their life should know more about Singapore than the foreigners.
Most of the new citizens we attract are from third world countries, where the living conditions are much worse than Singapore.
I wonder how many of those that became citizens are from Nordic countries or other western industrialised countries. -
I am not so sure.Originally posted by qlqq9:Yes, we see so many more of China Chinese and India Indian than the westerners accepting citizenship of Singapore. This american is just the miserable minority who become citizen. All those "Angmos" I know of said they will never wanna become citizens. Singapore to them is a good place to work but not a good place to settle down. They don't agree with the way the local govt runs the country.
Humans are humans, anywhere in the world.
What if this american is offered salaries beyond his wildest dream even higher than his leader?
Will he eat his words?
This is an interesting question.
What are the things money can buy? -
Are you trying to make yourself feel comfortable by saying that those who take up singaporea citizens are not aware what is going on in this country, like weather, PAP, NS, GST, Kiasu Singapore attitute? Common lah, do you think people would make such big decision as to give up their own citizenship without considering all these factors?Originally posted by maurizio13:Obviously a case of misinformation, those that live in Singapore most of their life should know more about Singapore than the foreigners.
Most of the new citizens we attract are from third world countries, where the living conditions are much worse than Singapore.
I wonder how many of those that became citizens are from Nordic countries or other western industrialised countries.
Third world it may be, but their mentality is definite more matured that many singaporeans here, including many from this forum. -
Singapore is not that bad, pretty good if you ask me compared to many countries. Just that the current government is bad.
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Are you claiming that those who left Singapore (the brain drain that Singapore government recognises), are stupid like you?Originally posted by Gazelle:Are you trying to make yourself feel comfortable by saying that those who take up singaporea citizens are not aware what is going on in this country, like weather, PAP, NS, GST, Kiasu Singapore attitute? Common lah, do you think people would make such big decision as to give up their own citizenship without considering all these factors?
Third world it may be, but their mentality is definite more matured that many singaporeans here, including many from this forum.
I think those Singaporean who spend at least above 20 years of their life here in Singapore, knows more about the intricacies of the government as compared to afew western migrants who spend afew years here.
Only time will tell if they will stay permanently if the government is constant in it's treatment of Singaporeans. -
Have any one of you really see the point of this report
An American foregoing his citizenship of one of the most advance country in the world and took up sg citizenship.
1a) Singapore is a more desirable country as compared to US. (any comments ?)
1b) and why are Singaporeans still packing our bags ??
Also not to forget that they (the family) is a very small percentage of foreigners that is from a advance country. Are there any report or stat on people from developed countries determine to stay here for long term ?? -
The US State Department now says that it will assume that a US citizen intends to retain (not give up) his US citizenship if he:
1. is naturalized in a foreign country;
2. takes a routine oath of allegiance to a foreign country; or
3. accepts foreign government employment that is of a "non-policy-level" nature.
Apparently, a "routine oath of allegiance" to another country is no longer taken as firm evidence of intent to give up US citizenship, even if said oath includes a renunciation of US citizenship. This represents a dramatic reversal of previous US policy; it used to be that any such statement was taken rigidly at face value (as in the Supreme Court's 1980 Terrazas decision). -
It is interesting you have assumed that all foreigners taking up citizenship are well-informed just based on one article.Originally posted by Gazelle:Are you trying to make yourself feel comfortable by saying that those who take up singaporea citizens are not aware what is going on in this country, like weather, PAP, NS, GST, Kiasu Singapore attitute? Common lah, do you think people would make such big decision as to give up their own citizenship without considering all these factors?
Third world it may be, but their mentality is definite more matured that many singaporeans here, including many from this forum.
We do have a forumer by the nick of Will4, an indonesian, who unfortunately do not share the same view of the ''majority'' of these foreigners. By being in Singapore for a period of time, he must have experienced something to think along that line.
But Will4's story and many others like him will NEVER be published or publicised by Singapore's government controlled media. -
yea, welcome to sunny singapore
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As far as I know, I am already starting to see more and more local angmoh kids who eat and speaks like Singaporeans, and one of the picture display at the national day parade actually show a ang moh girl dressed in oriental costumeOriginally posted by justcooler:Have any one of you really see the point of this report
An American foregoing his citizenship of one of the most advance country in the world and took up sg citizenship.
1a) Singapore is a more desirable country as compared to US. (any comments ?)
1b) and why are Singaporeans still packing our bags ??
Also not to forget that they (the family) is a very small percentage of foreigners that is from a advance country. Are there any report or stat on people from developed countries determine to stay here for long term ??
What the anti-PAP forumers like about amercian is the political freedom, however they dont realise taht majority of the americans doesnt give a damn about politics and they dont vote.
I guess if you are looking for a welfare state, Singapore will definitely not the place to be, however if you what to make a fortune and have a peaceful life, Singapore is a good place to consider. -
Unfortunately Singapore is not the place to make a fortune. Simple life yes, fortune no. Those of us who had actually experienced overseas working lives will tell you that.Originally posted by Gazelle:As far as I know, I am already starting to see more and more local angmoh kids who eat and speaks like Singaporeans, and one of the picture display at the national day parade actually show a ang moh girl dressed in oriental costume
What the anti-PAP forumers like about amercian is the political freedom, however they dont realise taht majority of the americans doesnt give a damn about politics and they dont vote.
I guess if you are looking for a welfare state, Singapore will definitely not the place to be, however if you what to make a fortune and have a peaceful life, Singapore is a good place to consider. -
I dont consider Indonesian and Malaysian to be foreigners because our culture are just too similar and geographically too close.Originally posted by bigmouthjoe:It is interesting you have assumed that all foreigners taking up citizenship are well-informed just based on one article.
We do have a forumer by the nick of Will4, an indonesian, who unfortunately do not share the same view of the ''majority'' of these foreigners. By being in Singapore for a period of time, he must have experienced something to think along that line.
But Will4's story and many others like him will NEVER be published or publicised by Singapore's government controlled media.
Singapore is such a small country and we have internet forums such as SC who criticise the Gov 24/7, do you have reasons to believe that anybody who are taking up citizenship in Singapore are by accident and not because they like the place for what it is?
As far as indonesian is concerned, many people I know actually admire LKY ways of managing the country and their dream has always to turn Jakarta into something similar to Singapore. -
'Originally posted by bigmouthjoe:Unfortunately Singapore is not the place to make a fortune. Simple life yes, fortune no. Those of us who had actually experienced overseas working lives will tell you that.
can you qualify the above statement? -
Americans like Larry Medina have few regrets when they relinquish US citizenship. He can make a U-turn any time and go back to US if thereÂ’s a crisis in a foreign country that accepts him as a naturalized citizen.
The US State Department will assume that a US citizen intends to retain (not give up) his US citizenship even if he has renounced his US citizenship in a foreign country, subject to some terms and conditions.
US is a liberal country. The government accepts the fact that her citizens may sometimes may do or say something that theyÂ’ll regret later. -
Maybe to indonesia too, since her wife is an indonesian.Originally posted by googoomuck:Americans like Larry Medina have few regrets when they relinquish US citizenship. He can make a U-turn any time and go back to US if thereÂ’s a crisis in a foreign country that accepts him as a naturalized citizen.
The US State Department will assume that a US citizen intends to retain (not give up) his US citizenship even if he has renounced his US citizenship in a foreign country, subject to some terms and conditions.
US is a liberal country. The government accepts the fact that her citizens may sometimes may do or say something that theyÂ’ll regret later. -
It's also a place for the rich, judging from the picture posted, if that is the house of the new citizen, then I guess he is rich.Originally posted by bigmouthjoe:Unfortunately Singapore is not the place to make a fortune. Simple life yes, fortune no. Those of us who had actually experienced overseas working lives will tell you that. -
Pal, you were the first one to suggest the Singapore is a better place to build our fortunes.Originally posted by Gazelle:'
can you qualify the above statement?
I suggest justifying that first. -
Sure, the income tax itself will be the first to start with, the singapore brand itself is next, plus the stability of this country will also means that people will be more willing to take risk, and the connectivity of singaporea as a shipping and aviation hub, and not to forget the FTAs singapore has established to give us some added avantage, and the strong supporting industry will also mean setting up manufacturing or trading business will be an ease. And of course the financial hub, tourism, MICE industry etc, will also mean more opportunity for service industry.Originally posted by bigmouthjoe:Pal, you were the first one to suggest the Singapore is a better place to build our fortunes.
I suggest justifying that first.
The ball is now at your court, please qualify your statement. -
One cool quote from http://young-pap.blogspot.com regarding the results of primary school balloting:
"Dear Sir,
Just something to think about. Is Singapore closely approaching the situation stated above?
Today, both my Singapore-born Singapore-citizen sons serve your family well by giving up their school places to your India-born India-citizen son. BUT THAT'S NOT ENOUGH! 12 years later, I will make sure my two sons serve your family again, by doing NS to protect you and your wife's safety, while your son is away from Singapore, having given up his PR to avoid NS! BUT THAT'S NOT ENOUGH! So, another 12 years after that, when you son comes back to Singapore as a "new" PR, in need of a job but too old to do NS, my children will give up their jobs so that your son can have one. Having no jobs, my two sons will then kill time, by doing more reservists and IPPT to ensure the safety and pleasure of your family! The honour is ours, Sir!" -
Aren't we there already?Originally posted by rooki:One cool quote from http://young-pap.blogspot.com regarding the results of primary school balloting:
Just something to think about. Is Singapore closely approaching the situation stated above?