Singaporean Author Faces Issues with the National Service Law

The Singaporean author of the novel Crazy Rich Asians is facing issues with the national service law. Singapore’s law requires all male citizens aged 18 and above to render a two-year national service in the military, police, or civil defense units. The law also obliges them to apply for an exit permit if they intend to travel and stay abroad for at least six months. Male citizens cannot give up their Singaporean citizenship without completing the compulsory service. In 1990, author Kevin Kwan broke this law by evading national service. According to the Ministry of Defence, Kwan did not register for enlistment despite receiving written notices about the need to enlist. Kwan has also been living in the United States without an exit permit since he was 11. The author requested to give up his Singaporean citizenship in 1994, but his request was denied as a result of his failure to enlist. Because of his offenses, Kwan can be fined up to around $7,000, be imprisoned for a maximum of three years, or suffer both penalties when convicted. Kwan is not the only Singaporean public figure to encounter issues with the national service law. Football player Ben Davis applied for a postponement of national service after signing a professional contract with a club in the English Premier League, the highest level of the English football league system. Athletes who represent Singapore in competitions outside the country are usually allowed to postpone their national service enlistment. However, the Singaporean government rejected Davis’ application, arguing that he sought postponement to get ahead in his athletic career and not to serve his country.