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ST Discussion Board ST Forum Not much of a gap between 'pink' and ' blue' - so offer dual citizenship
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Not much of a gap between 'pink' and ' blue' - so offer dual citizenship
October 30, 2009 Friday, 05:52 AM

LAST Saturday's commentary, 'Minding the gap between pink and blue', is timely. When I saw the cartoon table, 'Only citizens can...', it was plain there is not much of a gap between pink and blue, and why many permanent residents (PRs) are very happy to remain 'blue'.
Baikinman
October 30, 2009 Friday, 06:24 AM

Lynne Tan asks the wrong question: "Do we want more citizens or more PRs?" Our interest is to strengthen the sense of nationhood through elevating the value of citizenship vis-a-vis PRs and EP/WP holders. What do we gain from more dual-citizens and PRs if they don't contribute to this place? Do dual-ciitzens have to pay tax to Singapore on their income earned abroad? No. Will dual-citizenship entice more talents to sink roots here? I don't think so. What do we gain from having Lynee Tan's children as dual-citizens when they can come and go?

Those who want Singapore citizenship must show that they want to belong here. There is no easy way to demonstrate this commitment, but cutting the ties of citizenship from another country is a move in the right direction. I am not in favour of dual citizenship and freely available PR status.
pappy
October 30, 2009 Friday, 06:36 AM

Is Lynn suggesting dual citizenship for new citizens only? or it is for every Singaporean?
asakanboy
October 30, 2009 Friday, 07:02 AM

this will not happen within the next 10 years. dual citizenship will result in more sporeans moving out of the country.
citylights
October 30, 2009 Friday, 07:38 AM

what is this woman talking about? there is a very clear difference between a citiizen and a pr. in reality, there is no such thing as "permanent residency" in singapore since a pr must periodically apply for reentry permit (it used to be every 5 years but now it's usually every 10 years). if the authorities decide for what reason that they don't want to renew it (and they aren't under any obligation to provide a reason), then out you go after spending perhaps decades here building a life and putting down roots. citizens don't have to worry about that. i think that if the term "pr" was changed to "long term residency" or similar, then a lot of the the confusion and resentment would disappear. and, no, dual citizenship should not be allowed. too many people like this “ms tan” would be getting red passports just because it’s cheaper than getting a visa (she said, “I applied for the red passport for my two children only recently because Vietnam does not allow visa-free entry to French citizens but gives Singaporeans free entry. As the visas cost more than the Singapore passports, we decided to exercise our children's citizenship rights”). as a singaporean, i find this rather insulting.
Misnomer
October 30, 2009 Friday, 07:55 AM

The question should be, do we want committed citizens or fair-weathered ones. Lynn Tan seems to suggested citizenship of convenience. If her children's intention of holding a red passport is for easy travel, then there is no loss for Singapore if they eventually choose to become French citizens. Unfortunately for her, if any of her children are a boy, he must first serve NS before he can give up his red passport.

Dual citizenship? If a Malaysian holds a Singapore citizenship as well, should Malaysia for any reason, cut water supply (although we are now self sufficient) and guns are used, which way will his gun point?
clang123
October 30, 2009 Friday, 08:00 AM

Lynne Tan chose S'pore citizenship for her kids just to save some money.How flippant can you get? It is not surprising she supports dual citizenship.Don't waste your time talking to her abt nationhood or loyalty.She's in a diff planet altogether.
anlibeth2000
October 30, 2009 Friday, 08:11 AM

You want a dual citizenship to prepare yourself in case anything happen to the other citizenship. How cunning or rather coward. Die Die I remain in Singapore.
wxy280808
October 30, 2009 Friday, 08:36 AM

Aiyo... applied for citizenship simply to save visa fees....how shallow can one's view of the value of Singapore citizenship???
cutthecrap
October 30, 2009 Friday, 08:42 AM

wxy280808, "Aiyo... applied for citizenship simply to save visa fees....how shallow can one's view of the value of Singapore citizenship???"

Agreed with you 100%!
Such kind of "Citizen" is what we don't need!
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