She was one of those among the 3,000 reported
She is a PRC from Chongqing - she was already a PR when I bought into the business and I had repeatedly backed her citizenship application until successful.
I feel she has so much to teach us Singaporean in terms of grace and resourcefulness
Over 3,000 PRs turned citizens on Saturday
By Evelyn Choo | Posted: 18 September 2010 1628 hrs
SINGAPORE: More than 3,000 people took the step to become Singapore citizens on Saturday. They celebrated their rite of passage at various Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and at the Supreme Court building.
Among the new citizens is Suhairy Sukiat from Indonesia. The 36-year-old IT professional has been a Singapore permanent resident for nine years.
"Indonesia and Singapore have almost the same culture, same food.....In terms of language, it's good for my family. My mom and mother-in-law can come here, and they can speak Mandarin, no problem," he said.
His wife-to-be is 31-year-old Zhang Hui from China whom he met in Singapore four years ago.
The couple joined some 130 new Singaporeans at the annual National Citizenship Ceremony at the Supreme Court, where they recited the Pledge as a group and were presented with their Singapore identity cards.
Speaking at the ceremony, Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong encouraged the new citizens to get in touch with the Singapore way of life. As for those who are already well-integrated into society, there is still much more to be done.
"I would like to encourage you to consider giving back to Singapore society by volunteering with community and grassroots organisations. There are many opportunities to do so. As new citizens, I am sure you can serve a valuable conduit between newcomers and the larger population," said Mr Gan.
Making a similar call was Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng. Speaking at a citizenship presentation ceremony at Bishan Community Club, Mr Wong said: "One way of giving back to the Singapore society is to take part actively in grassroots activities or even step forward to organise them."
He urged the new citizens to meet grassroots leaders present at the event who could introduce them to the activities and programmes organised by local community-based organisations such as the Residents' Committees, Neighbourhood Committees, Community Club and Citizens' Consultative Committees.
Mr Wong also reminded the new citizens that while Singapore citizenship offers many privileges including the policies that citizens enjoy, the oath also comes with obligations and expectations. These obligations include making the effort to become a part of the community.
Last year, 19,928 citizenship applications were approved.
- CNA/ir
She is a PRC from Chongqing - she was already a PR when I bought into the business and I had repeatedly backed her citizenship application until successful.
I feel she has so much to teach us Singaporean in terms of grace and resourcefulness
Over 3,000 PRs turned citizens on Saturday
By Evelyn Choo | Posted: 18 September 2010 1628 hrs
SINGAPORE: More than 3,000 people took the step to become Singapore citizens on Saturday. They celebrated their rite of passage at various Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and at the Supreme Court building.
Among the new citizens is Suhairy Sukiat from Indonesia. The 36-year-old IT professional has been a Singapore permanent resident for nine years.
"Indonesia and Singapore have almost the same culture, same food.....In terms of language, it's good for my family. My mom and mother-in-law can come here, and they can speak Mandarin, no problem," he said.
His wife-to-be is 31-year-old Zhang Hui from China whom he met in Singapore four years ago.
The couple joined some 130 new Singaporeans at the annual National Citizenship Ceremony at the Supreme Court, where they recited the Pledge as a group and were presented with their Singapore identity cards.
Speaking at the ceremony, Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong encouraged the new citizens to get in touch with the Singapore way of life. As for those who are already well-integrated into society, there is still much more to be done.
"I would like to encourage you to consider giving back to Singapore society by volunteering with community and grassroots organisations. There are many opportunities to do so. As new citizens, I am sure you can serve a valuable conduit between newcomers and the larger population," said Mr Gan.
Making a similar call was Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng. Speaking at a citizenship presentation ceremony at Bishan Community Club, Mr Wong said: "One way of giving back to the Singapore society is to take part actively in grassroots activities or even step forward to organise them."
He urged the new citizens to meet grassroots leaders present at the event who could introduce them to the activities and programmes organised by local community-based organisations such as the Residents' Committees, Neighbourhood Committees, Community Club and Citizens' Consultative Committees.
Mr Wong also reminded the new citizens that while Singapore citizenship offers many privileges including the policies that citizens enjoy, the oath also comes with obligations and expectations. These obligations include making the effort to become a part of the community.
Last year, 19,928 citizenship applications were approved.
- CNA/ir
