3 Norwegian brothers, born in Singapore left Singapore at the age of 5, 3 and 2 and leaved in Norway for 10 years before returning here, presumably to study for their O levels before leaving for Norway again. Mindef had apparently sent them enlistment letters, which were perpetually ignored as they had already decide to stay on in Norway to be citizens there. All 3 served in the Norwegian army with intention not to come back to Singapore (as citizens). In fact, 2 of them are already Norwegian army regulars while the 3rd is a postman. For them to come back to Singapore to serve in the SAF would be treason.
While I am no position to question Mindef’s decisions, what raised my eyebrows is this statement on how Singapore does not recognise dual citizenship and therefore the "able-bodied male Singapore citizens" would then have to serve National Service. It’s almost like… the government closes both eyes shut and shaking the head vigorously and saying "no, no, no, I don’t recognise your dual citizenship so no count!"
The exceptions to this (application for exemption from NS) applies only to those who emigrate at a very young age, which is not specified by Mindef; and that they should not have enjoyed the privilege of Singapore citizenship. Previous sources have found the magic number to be 11 from the Ministry of Foreign Affair’s Consular page. However, the page has since been removed and no mention of the renunciation of the Singapore citizenship has been made.
Searching for any cached copy of that had been tedious, since most sources citing the magic number usually leads back to forums. However, I managed to find a remote link in the US Embassy website that had been updated on 15th May 2008, stating that:
… Singapore does not recognize dual nationality beyond the age of 21, and it strictly enforces universal national service (NS) for all male citizens and permanent residents. Male U.S. citizens who automatically acquired Singaporean citizenship and continue to reside in Singapore are liable for Singapore national service once they reach the age of 18. Travel abroad of Singaporean males may require Singapore Government approval as they approach national service age and may be restricted when they reach sixteen-and-a-half years of age. Under Singaporean law, an individual who acquires Singaporean citizenship at birth retains that status even after acquiring the citizenship of another country, including U.S. citizenship.
Males may renounce Singaporean citizenship only after having completed at least two years of national service. U.S. citizens are subject to this law. Dual nationals, Singapore Permanent Residents, and their parents should contact the Ministry of Defense in Singapore to determine if there will be a national service obligation. For additional information, please see the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ web site for our dual nationality flyer, and contact the Ministry of Defense Central Manpower Base (tel. 65-6373-3127), or visit http://www.ns.sg/nsPortal/appmanager/nsp/default?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=nsPortal_NSREG_ABT&nsp_community=ENLIST.
National-service-liable males who migrated from Singapore before age 11 and have not enjoyed significant socio-economic benefits of citizenship (e.g., applied for a Singapore identity card or studied in Singapore beyond the age of 11) are allowed to renounce their Singapore citizenship, but not before they turn 21. Until then, they are required to register for national service with Central Manpower Base and apply for a deferment. After turning 21, they are then eligible to renounce their Singapore citizenship and, if successful will not be required to serve NS and may continue to make short social visits to Singapore.
Forums who have cited similar phrases can be found here, here and from a commenter here. It was certainly tough finding the sources but it was worth it. What completes the picture would be an official government document. Even then, they can still push it aside as being outdated.
Of course, since I am not affected by national service, it would probably not matter much to me. However, the part that troubles me is on how the Singapore government can choose not to accept the renunciation of citizenship (although the context here is for male citizens who have yet to serve their national service). Does it mean that, should I one day decide to take up a citizenship elsewhere and migrate, the Singapore government can choose not to let me renounce my citizenship, and more importantly, not allow me to withdraw my CPF balance? Since my last post about giving up citizenship in Singapore, many have emailed me to tell me that they have had relatives/friends whose CPF money is still stuck.
If this urban legend is anything to go by, then perhaps it is indeed scary on how we will not be able to move to a new place to start life all over. Loosely translated, I can use the CPF to buy houses in Singapore, but there’s no way I can use my CPF here to buy a house over there. In short, unless I am cash-loaded, it’s probably going to be tough for me to move over even after I have gained citizenship in a new country. This does give the phrase "starting a new life from scratch" a whole new meaning.
As for the 3 Norwegians, the mistake they have committed is perhaps to return to Singapore to do their O levels. Unless they entered on Norwegian passports (and either applying some special visa of sorts or going in and out of Singapore every 30 days or so), they would have deemed to have enjoyed socio-economic benefits of citizenship in Singapore should they have used their Singapore passport. There is, however, not enough information in the article on that, although I would presume that their Singapore passports (if any, in the first place) would have expired in the 10 years that they were overseas; unless of course, they renewed their Singapore passports (again, assuming that they still had it) in the Singapore Embassy in Norway; if this was even possible back then.
What’s pressing now though, is the clarification of the government’s stance on this. I figured that this information is hidden on purpose so as to prevent foreigners residing in Singapore to misuse the benefits of the Singapore citizenship; and it will remain as it is for as long as the Singapore government deemed it necessary. The Norwegians’ situation may not be the first, but it will definitely not be the last as more foreigners flood Singapore for work and settling down. What they perhaps do not want, is for their children to go through national service for a country that they are not sure of staying in the long run; since I already have friends (combination of 1 Singaporean parent and a non-Singapore parent) who are planning to ship their children out of Singapore before 11 years of age.
Just for the sake of completeness, the 3 brothers could have gotten Norwegian citizenship by birth, citing from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration:
Norwegian citizenship by birth
A child does not become a Norwegian citizen automatically, even if he/she is born in Norway. Different rules apply for the citizenship for children, depending on when the child was born.
Children born after August 31st 2006
According to the current law, a child with a Norwegian mother or father acquires Norwegian citizenship by birth. This applies no matter if the child is born in Norway or abroad, and no matter if the parents were married or not.
Children born before September 1st 2006
Children born before September 1st 2006, acquired Norwegian citizenship by birth if:
- The mother was Norwegian
- The father was Norwegian and the parents were married, or
- The father was dead, but he was a Norwegian citizen and married with the mother of the child at the time he died.
Dual nationality
Whether a child whose father or mother is a foreign national also acquires his or her nationality at birth depends on the legislation of the country in question. Queries in this connection must be addressed to the relevant authorities of the country or its diplomatic mission (Embassy, High Commissioner, Consulate General) in Norway or abroad.
Norwegian law accepts dual nationality where it is the consequence of a child’s acquisition at birth of its parent’s nationality. See also "Dual nationality"
Last updated: 11.06.2007
Published: 11.06.2007
This information, however, would not have been of much use since the Singapore government seems to tolerate dual citizenship before the person reaches the age of 21, at which, he or she would have to decide which country he or she would like to be a citizen of.
Inset:
NS regulations
WHO NEEDS TO DO NS
- All able-bodied male Singapore citizens.
- Those holding concurrent citizenship in Singapore and one other country, because Singapore does not recognise dual citizenship.
EXCEPTIONS
- Those who emigrate at a very young age - the exact age is not specified by Mindef - with their families and have thus not enjoyed the privilege of Singapore citizenship. Such persons can apply to renounce their Singapore citizenship without serving NS.
PENALTIES FOR NOT SERVING NS
- On conviction, NS defaulters are liable to be jailed up to three years and/or fined up to $10,000. The exact sentence will be determined by the courts.
- Defaulters will also have to serve NS if they are still liable for it.
Article:
Give up citizenship? Brothers must do NS first Norwegian trio’s bids rejected.
Only those who haven’t enjoyed privileges of citizenship exempted, says Mindef
By Amelia Tan
THREE brothers, born to a Norwegian father and Singaporean mother, want to give up their Singapore citizenship.
But the Ministry of Defence has said no. Not until they do their national service.
The Bugge brothers - Thorbjoern, 33; Ingvar, 31; and Frode, 30 - left Singapore when each turned 18 and have tried and failed several times for over a decade to renounce their Singapore citizenships.
They want to renounce their citizenship so they will be free to visit their parents - Mr O.M. Bugge, 65, and his wife Margaret, 55 - who still live here.
They cannot return here because they have been classified as NS defaulters and risk arrest on arrival.
They were all born here and are considered Singapore citizens. But they also hold Norwegian citizenships, like their father.
They first left Singapore when they were five, three and two years old respectively, and lived in Norway for 10 years before returning here.
But each left Singapore after their O levels, and just before they could be called up for national service.
Mindef sent them NS enlistment letters, but in turn, each brother ignored the call-up. Instead, they enlisted in the Norwegian armed forces for a 19-month national service term.
All three decided to renounce their Singapore citizenship when they turned 21, but Mindef rejected their initial bids to do so.
They tried several more times over the years, writing to the ministry, then-prime minister Goh Chok Tong and the late former president Ong Teng Cheong to explain their case.
Their parents have also met staff from Mindef.
But all their attempts have failed.
When contacted, Mindef’s director of public affairs, Colonel Darius Lim, said: ‘Only persons who have emigrated at a very young age together with their families, and who have not enjoyed the privileges of Singapore citizenship, will be allowed to renounce their Singapore citizenships without serving national service.’
He said the three men are Singapore citizens and are required to fulfil their NS obligations. Their requests to renounce their Singapore citizenships can be considered only upon completion of full-time NS.
The brothers said they were disappointed by Mindef’s position.
When asked, they maintained that they did not leave Singapore to avoid NS. They preferred to be in Norway, they said, and their enlistment there showed they were not shirkers of NS, they said.
Mr Frode Bugge is a career soldier with the Norwegian army and has seen action in Kosovo and Afghanistan.
Brother Thorbjoern is also a career soldier, while Ingvar is a postman.
For now, they will have to continue meeting their parents in Malaysia. Their mother spends six months in Norway each year.
Their father, a marine consultant, said he cannot afford to spend extended periods in Norway because his business is based in Singapore. He tries to visit his sons once a year.
He said: ‘My sons’ cases are about a choice of citizenship, and not a case of national service…They would like to get this matter cleared up and be able to travel to Singapore for a visit like any other Norwegian.’
He is hoping that the law will be changed.
‘My sons’ situations may seem unique now. But as more foreigners marry Singaporeans, there will be more of these cases,’ he added.
NS defaulters can be jailed up to three years and/or fined up to $10,000 if convicted.
ameltan@sph.com.sg
Source: Straits Times Interactive, http://www.straitstimes.com/Singapore/Story/STIStory_271584.html
Article extracted on 26th August 2008
About
Regarding the story of the three Norwegians:
My son, now 14.5 years old holds dual Singapore / British nationality. He was born in the UK, has lived all his life in the UK and has only spend a total of perhaps 4 weeks in Singapore in his who life on short trips with family.
His application to delay NS pending renounciation of citizenship at age 21 has recently been turned down, and he has been advised to travel to Singapore without delay (and disrupt his schooling) so that his NS offences (he has no exit permit currently as we have only just become aware of the rule changes in 2006) may be corrected.
This I think beats the Nowegian story for a strange decision.
Regards
Richard Lewis
Another uniquely Singaporean quality. Blame this state of affairs on Singaporeans who made a big hoo-ha when Melvyn Tan was fined when he returned to S’pore for a concert performance. Because of the protests from S’porean men who felt that a fine was too “cheap” for missing NS and reservists duty, Teo Chee Hean tightened up the rules and now no one gets disruption for NS unless they are Singapore govt scholars like PM’s son…. not even a 3 mth deferment to take an exam in SIM. My son left SG at 9 yrs. I made a mistake of extending his Singapore passport. He’s now taken NZ citizenship but is not allowed NS deferment to 21 because he extended his passport after age 10. He has no Singapore IC , not been to Singapore school. But what to do ? Let’s move on …..
Singapore is but a small red dot vs the whole wide world. Nothing much will be missed if you don’t ever set foot here again.
I am the Father of these three Norwegians who are the subject of much of this tread and would like to set a few facts straight.
They were born in Singapore in the middle of the “Two is Enough” or “Stop at two”-period (1975-78). As such they had to follow the Father’s citizenship and was included on my passport within weeks after birth to avoid being deported as “illegal aliens”, although the Singapore Constitution gave them the right to a Singapore Citizenship.
As they got older they got their own Norwegian Passports, which had to be endorsed with a “Dependent Pass” to allow them to remain in Singapore. A letter from the Norwegian Embassy here confirms the facts.I was running my own small P/L company in Singapore at the time and held an Employment Pass.
We left Singapore in 1980 and moved to Norway in order for the boys to learn how to be Norwegians. They arrived there at the tender age of 4 1/2, 3 and 2 years.
None of them spoke a word of Norwegian but, thrown into a Kindergarten with all Norwegian kids, they quickly learnt. Within 6 months you could not hear the difference between them and their playmates, but we kept them speaking English at home.
In 1990 we moved back to Singapore to give them a grounding in their other identity. They arrived here as Norwegian Citizen and received a Social Visit Pass in their Norwegian Passport, like any other visitor. This was renewed a few times as we applied for places in Government Schools for them. But that stranded as they were not Singapore Citizen and required Student Pass to be accepted. They actually lost a full year of schooling in the process.
One day an Immigration Officer asked; “why do you apply for Student Pass for your sons, they are entitled to dual citizenship until 21, which give them the right to stay and study in Singapore until they are 21″
A few minutes later they had a stamp in their Norwegian passport to the affect. Nothing said that they would expose themselves to NS liabilities, or be refused their right to choose.
We managed to enrolled two in a private, but government sponsored school here. (Seventh-day Adventist School) The oldest studied for his O-levels as a private candidate.
Now we made a big mistake. They were offered Pink ICs, which we accepted on the understanding that they would be able to choose which citizenship to hold and which to renounce at 21 per Singapore Constitution and Citizenship Laws. Little did we know that this would be interpreted as an acceptance of NS liability later.
As the first son finished his O-levels, he left to further his study in Norway as a Photo Journalist.
While he was there the first letter from MINDEF rolled in. I replied that he was a Norwegian Citizen and was studying in Norway and to please defer him from NS registration until he returned to Singapore, which was granted.
At the time it was not clear to me which citizenship he, or his brothers, would chose at 21 as they had been groomed to make up their own mind when the time came.
On completion of the one-year course he enrolled in the Norwegian Army to do his National Service. Shortly after we were informed that he had volunteered for service in the Norwegian peace keeping contingent in Bosnia. He has later served in Lebanon, Kosovo and Afghanistan and is due to go back to Afghanistan to train the Afghan Army soon.
His youngest brother has followed in his footsteps and are due back in Afghanistan for the fourth time. He has also been in Kosovo twice earlier.
It therefore became quite clear that he had made up his mind which citizenship he wanted to retain and which to renounce. As he became 21, he sent in an application to renounce his right to Singapore Citizenship, which was promptly refused by MINDEF. He has not been back in Singapore since and he will be 33 in a few days time (9. Sept)
The other brothers also left on completion of O-levels and returned to Norway, as none of them found Singapore to their liking at the time. After all they had grown up with wide open spaces, mountains and the sea, and found Singapore to be too restricted to their liking.
As the youngest brother turned 30 earlier this year, they all sent in an application to renounce their right to Singapore Citizenship again, with the same result.
MINDEF insisted that they were defaulters from NS and should return to Singapore “to face the music”.
I have had numerous meetings with the person in charge of such cases at CMPB, sent letters to the Minister of Defence through our MP at the time and later through a Lawyer. I have also sent letter to the Registrar of Citizen, the Prime Minister (then Goh Chok Tong) and the President (the late Ong Teng Chong) but all letters were replied by the same person at CPMB, with the stock reply, NO.
This is NOT first and foremost a question of NS and where, or whether, it should be served. It is a question of the right of a person born with two citizenships to have the right to choose which to keep and which to renounce at the age of 21.
Once he/she have made their choice they will have to comply with whatever obligations that goes with it, whether military service or others.
To deny anybody this right is against UN Charter of Human Rights, and against the Singapore Constitution.
As it stands, our three sons are unable to visit family in Singapore without risking 3 years jail and S$ 10,000 fine, although they have complied with the law and renounced one of their two citizenships as required, and served National Service in the country to which they belong.
This may not affect all that many yet, but with the number of mixed marriages in Singapore today it will be more and more of a problem.
I have spent most of my life here and has a very clear understanding of the need for a strong defence, but to force foreign nationals to serve in SAF does NOT improve military readiness or moral.
We allowed the interview in Straits Times in the hope that we could get a discussion going on this subject, but the article published was angle in such a way the it appeared that our sons had left Singapore “just before they could be called up for NS” and joined the Norwegian Army to obtain Norwegian Citizenship.
Nothing could be further from the truth, which raises a question about the agenda of the Journalist, and her Editor.
Capt.O.M.Bugge,
Proud Father.
hey I have the same problem too…
I have left singapore with the age of nine and ever since I have unfortunately not been back yet. I do not have an exit permit but I have obtained the German citizenship.
Well, my question is now, whether I will be detained in Singapore and not allowed to leave the country, do you think that they will do this? because I intend to go to Singapore at the end of September,but after all I am still a citizen of another country and NORMALLY they are not allowed to hold me..
right?
After hearing these, I am quite afraid of what’s to come for my son. He has dual citizenship (Sg and US). I am intending to send him to Canada where my sister is living before he turns nine. At the moment he is studying here in a govt school. But it seems now, that even so, he may not get to defer his NS! Even though it is stated black and white the rules, they can bend it anytime, anyhow.
Frankly speaking, I am not unsupportive of NS and I think it is a good training for young men and to serve the nation. But to force it upon us and leaves us with no alternatives, I think that really is against human rights. I think they should look at this issue on a long term basis. Forcing one to do NS does not equals patriotism.
Erm not to nitpick, but in the first sentence “leaved” should be “lived”. its a bit of an eyesore right at teh beginning of the article
Also can someone help me remove this post after the mistake has been corrected? thanks!
Hi, I am in a different but totally messed up situation here, which is also due to NS issue. I was a Singapore PR, but I gave up PR after taking A-Level because I wanted to pursue overseas study. I did go overseas and studied until this year. Little did my parents (who are still living in Singapore) and I knew at that time that I would not be allowed to work in Singapore. As fate has it, I married a Singaporean girl, who cannot leave Singapore because she is bonded by a government scholarship. We even have a baby who was just born recently. To accompany my family, especially my wife who could not leave, I applied and got a job offer from a Singapore employer. All I ask is an employment pass, not that I have any intention of taking advantage of Singapore or re-applying for PR, but my employment pass and subsequent numerous appeals were turned down with a cold reply from Mindef. Without a job here, I had to leave my wife and baby child behind in Singapore. We now remain separated, and the future when we can be reunited is nowhere in sight.
I have explained again and again to Mindef that I only ask for permission to work in Singapore for a few years, all I ask for is a few years. If I had in anyway shortchanged the country by escaping NS before, working and paying tax is one way I can re-pay the country. Is Mindef using employment pass issue as a means of revenge? What benefit do they get by not allowing me to work and pay taxes? Can someone explain to me?
I have not given up appealing to Mindef until today, because I could not accept the fact of being separated from my family. Do any of the people who are reading this share similar experiences? I know there are some cases in which people who give up PR are granted employment pass, please let me know if you know how they did it. Thank you.