More exposure needed to avoid misconceptions of dual citizens
The writer of “Dual citizenship compromises a person’s loyalty to Singapore” (March 21) concludes at the outset that all perceived negatives outweigh the benefits. I disagree.
One cannot generalise across the spectrum of dual citizens that none of them would be willing to fight for or even die to serve Singapore.
While dying for Singapore would be extreme and circumstantial, perhaps the writer should find out how many citizens, too, would do so. I am not insinuating that citizens would not do so, but we should avoid generalising.
This is especially if we do not have any first-hand experience of holding dual citizenship or being an organisation, such as the Singapore Armed Forces, that manages the participation of dual citizens.
The writer passed judgment that dual citizenship breeds complacency in the fight against terrorism, among others. I caution against this attitude. Every story has its reason, and every reason has its story.
While an example was cited of a dual citizen who refused to return to serve his obligations, Singaporeans should explore with the SAF or through statistical records or even at the various Meet-the-People Sessions as to the number of sole citizenship holders who want to avoid NS.
The number may outweigh the rare cases involving dual citizens.
If one were to visit the Basic Military Training exercises in Pulau Tekong, one would see young soldiers with blue or green eyes serving with dedication. Sometimes it feels like the United Nations, which is the epitome of cooperation and harmony.
One could attend the Passing Out Parades, and catch the announcements of best recruits with a foreign name, or see the audience and the number of proud foreign parents.
One of the views we could mistakenly hold is that Singaporean citizenship is merely an identity and that allowing dual citizenship makes us lose our last and only reason to fight for our home.
If this is true, then tell it to the fine soldiers holding dual citizenship, as well as the Gurkha contingent who would not blink at laying down their lives for Singapore. We need more exposure to avoid misconceptions.
It would be an eye-opener should the immigration or defence authorities disclose statistics. Or let us just look at Singapore’s history and the number of non-citizens who helped shape the Singapore today and who even lost their lives doing so.
