zzm9980 wrote:I'm really curious this reasons why they don't change and allow dual citizenship. I understand the rationale historically. But now Singapore needs to attract "desirable" new citizens. Most of the ideal candidates they could attract have no desire to give up their current citizenship. But I'm sure they'd gladly go dual.
Well, I do hope the government secretly reads these forums so they know why people don't give up their citizenships and take up a Singaporean one.
For me, I've worked and paid a lifetime of tax in my 'home' country, and I feel that I've earned the right to reap the benefits that citizenship of that country brings, such as government subsidized healthcare should I fall seriously sick, welfare or pension, security, a place I can retire to, and many many other reasons.
To be told you have to flush it all down the toilet in one stroke of the pen, for essentially no real tangible benefits to show for in the new adopted country is just crazy talk.
More importantly, these are also the reasons why some Singaporeans leave as well. Opportunities and quality of life that comes with having residency elsewhere, for some, outstrips that of their birth country.
Duel citizenship would be the best solution, as it would allow people, such as my wife (a Singaporean), to accept foreign citizenship, without burning bridges with Singapore. Many have already burnt that bridge.
It would also allow someone such as myself to feel like a member of society, not not just another Ang Mo with PR status, a status that is as permanent as the policies of our politicians, and as solid as the support voters give them.
And it has to be said - not everyone that gives up a foreign citizenship for a Singaporean one, is truly loyal to Singapore. If this is the reason behind the current policy, it's a deluded one.