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Response to "S'porean hubby crippled by stroke, PR wife says..." (Straits Times 8 Nov 2011)
The Straits Times
17 Nov 2011
Plea by sick man's wife
'Marriage to a Singaporean does not guarantee citizenship.'
MR KOH WEE SING, head, public & internal communications, corporate communications division, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority: 'Each application for Singapore citizenship is evaluated holistically based on its own merits ('S'porean hubby crippled by stroke, PR wife says...' by Ms Liza Monterio, Nov 8; and 'Citizenship' by Mr Spencer Ho Kah Leong, last Saturday). Marriage to a Singaporean does not automatically guarantee a person's citizenship. Ms Monterio has been in contact with our officers regarding her citizenship application. However, it is not appropriate for the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority to discuss details of her application publicly.'
<Original Letter>
The Straits Times
8 Nov 2011
S'porean hubby crippled by stroke, PR wife says...
'All I want is to be a citizen. Will there ever be a chance?'
MS LIZA MONTERIO: 'I came to work in Singapore in 1987 when I was 17 and on a work permit. I met my husband, a Singaporean, and after I obtained permanent residence in 1993, we married. Subsequently, we became parents when I gave birth to two daughters between 1994 and 1998, and I stopped working to care for my children and family. My husband, who worked as an air-conditioner technician earning $1,500 a month, became the sole breadwinner. Two years ago, when he was 45 years old, he suffered a massive stroke, which left him handicapped. The doctors certified him medically unfit to work. I returned to work and became the sole breadwinner. When I applied for citizenship recently, I was rejected twice, despite a recommendation from my MP. The better and largest part of my life and responsibilities have always been in Singapore, and all I want is to be a citizen. Will there ever be a chance? What must I do?'
17 Nov 2011
Plea by sick man's wife
'Marriage to a Singaporean does not guarantee citizenship.'
MR KOH WEE SING, head, public & internal communications, corporate communications division, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority: 'Each application for Singapore citizenship is evaluated holistically based on its own merits ('S'porean hubby crippled by stroke, PR wife says...' by Ms Liza Monterio, Nov 8; and 'Citizenship' by Mr Spencer Ho Kah Leong, last Saturday). Marriage to a Singaporean does not automatically guarantee a person's citizenship. Ms Monterio has been in contact with our officers regarding her citizenship application. However, it is not appropriate for the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority to discuss details of her application publicly.'
<Original Letter>
The Straits Times
8 Nov 2011
S'porean hubby crippled by stroke, PR wife says...
'All I want is to be a citizen. Will there ever be a chance?'
MS LIZA MONTERIO: 'I came to work in Singapore in 1987 when I was 17 and on a work permit. I met my husband, a Singaporean, and after I obtained permanent residence in 1993, we married. Subsequently, we became parents when I gave birth to two daughters between 1994 and 1998, and I stopped working to care for my children and family. My husband, who worked as an air-conditioner technician earning $1,500 a month, became the sole breadwinner. Two years ago, when he was 45 years old, he suffered a massive stroke, which left him handicapped. The doctors certified him medically unfit to work. I returned to work and became the sole breadwinner. When I applied for citizenship recently, I was rejected twice, despite a recommendation from my MP. The better and largest part of my life and responsibilities have always been in Singapore, and all I want is to be a citizen. Will there ever be a chance? What must I do?'