Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Measures to Ensure Adult Singaporeans Do Not Hold Multiple Citizenships

Question:

Mr Darryl David: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what systems and processes does the Government have to ensure that adult Singaporeans do not hold dual/multiple citizenships of other countries; (b) what steps are taken when it is discovered that an adult Singaporean is holding dual/multiple citizenships; and (c) how many such cases of adult Singaporeans holding dual/multiple citizenships have occurred in the last five years.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law:

1. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority has various methods to try and detect adult Singaporeans who hold multiple citizenships. Nevertheless, of course, it is not an easy exercise, when people wilfully do so, and hide their action. We do not disclose details of methods used for detection, for operational reasons.

2. Adult Singaporeans found holding multiple citizenships are required to renounce their foreign citizenships if they wish to retain their Singapore citizenship. If they fail to do so, they are liable to be deprived of their Singapore citizenship.

3. Between 2019 and 2023, a yearly average of about 1,600 adult Singaporeans chose to renounce, or were deprived of their Singapore citizenship, because they were holding multiple citizenships.