While a baby boy born in a Singapore hospital to a Singaporean
father was classified as ’stateless’ since birth and recently
deported to Malaysia, foreigners whose babies are born in Singapore
are entitled to the ‘Baby Bonus’ which is funded by Singapore
taxpayers.
According to the Ministry of Community, Youth and Sports (MCYS),
foreigners can open a Child Development Account (CDA) in Singapore
which will enable the Baby Bonus to be deposited there so long
their babies are registered as Singapore citizens:
[Source: Baby
Bonus]
The child is eligible if he or she is:
a. born on or after 17 August 2008;
b. a Singapore Citizen or becomes a Singapore Citizen;
c. born alive to the mother; and
d. the mother is lawfully married to the child’s father.
Apparently, being born in Singapore is not a criteria which
means that the babies born overseas are eligible for the Baby Bonus
as well so long they are registered as Singapore citizens before 24
months of age:
“A foreign child must obtain citizenship before the
child reaches 24 months of age to be eligible for the cash gift.
The amount of cash gift and/or matching Government contribution may
be pro-rated according to the date of the child’s citizenship or
adoption (whichever is later) if the child is not a citizen by
birth.”
It doesn’t take a genius to
spot the loopholes in the PAP’s ‘generous’ scheme waiting to be
exploited by ‘hard-driving’ foreigners. They can obtain the Baby
Bonus for their babies sponsored by Singapore taxpayers and then
relocate elsewhere a few years later.
Certain countries like India and China allow its ex-citizens to
regain their native citizenships easily without much of a hassle.
The PAP should demand a refund of the Baby Bonus from children born
to foreign parents who give up their Singapore citizenship in the
future to prevent Singaporeans from being made a laughing stock in
the world for sponsoring foreigners to give birth in Singapore.
