How many citizens, PRs leave Singapore permanently?

May 29, 2014

We refer to the article “CPF members leaving S’pore withdrew more than $400m each year from 2003 to 2013” (Channel NewsAsia, May 29).

CPF: $426m withdrawn a year by those who leave Singapore?

It states that “From 2003 to 2013, Central Provident Fund members leaving Singapore withdrew $426 million, or 0.3 per cent of the average total members’ balances each year. This includes the amounts withdrawn by former citizens, former Permanent Residents (PRs) and foreigners who contributed to CPF before 2003.

No statistics on PRs who leave?

Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin gave this update in Parliament on Thursday (May 29). He said the CPF Board does not track the amount separately for PRs who have given up residency.”

Number of citizens, PRs and foreigners leaving?

– There was an edgy feeling reading the above that something may not sound right. Presumably, the reply was in answer to a question in Parliament – Wouldn’t the arguably more significant statistics that the member may be asking for – be how many citizens, PRs and foreigners withdrew their CPF by leaving Singapore permanently, instead of only the amounts withdrawn ?

Surely, this breakdown is available right?

What’s the yearly statistics and trend?

Also, why just give the average each year for the last decade? What were the amounts on a year to year basis, so that we can see the trend of citizens, PRs and foreigners leaving Singapore permanently?

Can return to work again?

As to “On whether they can return to Singapore to work, Mr Tan said evaluations will be done to determine their suitability. The Government will look into their track record and history before making a decision”

– We understand that Singaporeans who give up their citizenship in order to withdraw their CPF which is conditional upon their being granted citizenship by another country, are generally not allowed to return to Singapore to work.

If this is the case, then why are PRs or foreigners allowed to return to work, based on “evaluations will be done to determine their suitability. The Government will look into their track record and history before making a decision”?

SY Lee and Leong Sze Hian

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About the Author

Leong
Leong Sze Hian has served as the president of 4 professional bodies, honorary consul of 2 countries, an alumnus of Harvard University, authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been a radio talkshow host, a newspaper daily columnist, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, columnist for theonlinecitizen and Malaysiakini, executive producer of Ilo Ilo (40 international awards), Hotel Mumbai (associate producer), invited to speak more than 200 times in about 40 countries, CIFA advisory board member, founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of 2 countries. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors degrees and 13 professional  qualifications.