8-12-2023 (SINGAPORE) The recent invalidation of passports belonging to Singapore permanent residents (PRs) from Myanmar by the military junta has raised concerns among the community. At least three Singapore PRs have reported having their passports rendered invalid, with fears that this action was politically motivated.
Madam May Kyaw, a 50-year-old Myanmar national and Singapore PR, was one of the affected individuals. She was stopped at Changi Airport while on her way to Bangkok, where an immigration officer informed her that her passport was no longer valid. She had renewed it in December 2022, with an expiration date set for 2027.
Madam May, who has resided in Singapore since 2008 and operates a shop in Peninsula Plaza, suspects that she was targeted due to her support for the National League for Democracy (NLD). The NLD, led by Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, secured a resounding victory in the November 2020 general election, winning 86 percent of the seats. However, the military declared a state of emergency in February 2021, alleging electoral fraud and staging a coup d’état, resulting in the detention of Ms Suu Kyi and other NLD leaders.
A spokesman from Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG), representing the shadow government, confirmed that Myanmar embassies controlled by the military junta have been targeting citizens abroad based on their political views. The spokesman revealed that the Myanmar Embassy in Singapore had invalidated the passports of three Myanmar citizens residing there. He further expressed concerns that many others may have experienced similar passport revocations in various countries.
Another Singapore PR, who was returning from a business trip in Vietnam, discovered that his passport was invalid and was unable to re-enter Singapore. Such incidents have instilled fear and worry among the Myanmar community in Singapore, as they fear becoming victims of similar actions by the military regime.
The affected individuals and the wider community hope for a resolution, with Madam May expressing her desire for the military to relinquish power so that she can freely travel and return home.
In response to queries, Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) issued a joint statement clarifying that the invalidation of travel documents does not affect the continued residence or employment of Singapore PRs and long-term pass holders who are already in the country. As long as their permits or passes issued by the ICA or MOM remain valid, they can remain in Singapore. The statement also noted that foreigners without a valid passport can still depart from Singapore if the receiving country permits their entry.
The Myanmar community in Singapore is estimated to consist of at least 200,000 individuals, including students, healthcare workers, foreign domestic workers, and skilled professionals. Efforts are being made by the NUG’s representatives in various countries to seek international recognition and address the challenges faced by Myanmar citizens. The NUG spokesman stated that appeal letters are being sent to host governments, urging them to consider humanitarian measures such as issuing special visas and providing temporary stays for Myanmar citizens until power is restored to the people of Myanmar.
