Volume 94 Tuesday No 27 8 November 2016

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

OFFICIAL REPORT CONTENTS

Written Answers to Questions

Page

1. Statistics on Renunciation of Singapore Citizenship (Mr ) 1 2. Cyclists of Electric/Motorised Bicycles or Vehicles' Liability for Victim's Medical Fees (Er Dr ) 1 3. Balloting of National Day Parade Tickets (Er Dr Lee Bee Wah) 2

STATISTICS ON RENUNCIATION OF SINGAPORE CITIZENSHIP

1 Mr Leon Perera asked the Prime Minister (a) from 2005 to 2015, how many Singaporeans renounced their citizenship each year; (b) what is the breakdown of the top five reasons for citizens wanting to emigrate each year as revealed through the mandatory questionnaire; (c) what is the breakdown of the top three reasons for the renunciation of Singapore citizenship each year, as revealed through the mandatory questionnaire; (d) whether the Government has done a thorough study to understand the reasons for renunciation of citizenship; and (e) what is being done to prevent such numbers from increasing.

Mr (for the Prime Minister): An average of 1,200 Singaporeans renounced their Singapore Citizenship (SC) each year from 2005 to 2015. The annual SC renunciation rate remains low at under 0.1%. Singaporeans renouncing their citizenship will be asked to indicate their reasons in a non- mandatory questionnaire. The most frequent reasons given include (a) family-related reasons - such as marriage to a foreigner or to join their family members overseas, (b) preference for a different lifestyle or environment, or (c) career or business-related reasons. Our focus is to ensure that Singapore continues to be the best home for all Singaporeans. We will continue to develop an attractive living environment and a thriving economy which creates good jobs and opportunities for Singaporeans. We also want to strengthen Singaporeans’ bonds with each other, and build a strong sense of identity and belonging to the nation. We actively engage our Singaporeans who are studying or working overseas. Through efforts such as the Overseas Singaporean Unit’s programmes and initiatives, Singapore Day in selected cities overseas being one example, we seek to ensure that our overseas Singaporeans maintain a strong identity and remain connected and committed to Singapore’s future even while they are overseas. Back to Contents CYCLISTS OF ELECTRIC/MOTORISED BICYCLES OR VEHICLES' LIABILITY FOR VICTIM'S MEDICAL FEES

2 Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Transport whether the Ministry will consider 2 amending the law to make it mandatory for cyclists of electric/motorised bicycles or vehicles who are found guilty in accidents with pedestrians to pay compensation for the victim's medical fees.

Mr : The law already provides for those injured by bicycles, power- assisted bicycles or vehicles to seek compensation through private settlement or civil court action. For cases where the offender is prosecuted and convicted in criminal court, the courts will consider if compensation to the victim should be paid based on the circumstances of each case. Back to Contents BALLOTING OF NATIONAL DAY PARADE TICKETS

3 Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Defence (a) how many National Day Parade (NDP) tickets are up for balloting each year; (b) whether the Ministry will consider disallowing those who successfully balloted in one year from balloting the following year; and (c) whether there is any other measure explored so that more Singaporeans can watch NDP live at least once in their lifetime.

Dr : The total number of tickets put up each year for balloting by the public to attend the previews and the NDP show range from 50,000 to 165,000. The Padang and Marina Bay sites for NDP have lower seating capacity while the new National Stadium has the largest capacity, especially since an additional preview show has been added to increase the pool of balloted tickets. The two NE Shows also provide opportunities to tens of thousands of school children to watch the NDP live as part of their national education. In addition, a small proportion of tickets are set aside to be given to sponsors, grassroots organisations, and families of participants and Ministries in recognition of their support and hard work and effort in organising the NDP. Since 2013, Mindef has already excluded applicants who were successful in the preceding year from the current year’s eBalloting. This should improve the chance of success for ballots by those who have never seen the NDP live. Mindef is gratified with the strong interest shown by Singaporeans to celebrate the NDP shows but the overall success of ballots would still be dependent on the total number of applicants which can be many times the number of balloted tickets each year. Live telecasts of the NDP will continue to ensure that as many Singaporeans as 3 possible get to watch the NDP show and celebrate National Day together. Back to Contents

Office of the Clerk of Parliament Singapore, 8 November 2016