When Burmese citizenship is no longer attractive

by John Moe

Friday, 03 October 2008 15:18

Surrendering one's Burmese citizenship is growing in frequency among the Burmese community in Singapore; and it is a phenomenon that looks to continue to gain momentum as graduates from Burma are increasingly forced to look for jobs overseas given the dire employment market in their native country. In the years since the 1988 democracy uprising more and more Burmese have left the country, with many making their way to ASEAN neighbors. And out of all the ASEAN countries, the island city-state of Singapore has arguably become the destination of choice for the more enlightened segments of Burmese society forced to go abroad. Students from Burma, upon completion of their studies, often have difficulty in procuring a good career job. Graduates worry about their economic future under the current military government. And a growing jobless rate, in combination with nervousness revolving around the future of many industries, leads them to a decision to seek their fortunes beyond Burma's borders. Once overseas, for a myriad of reasons, many Burmese find the prospect of returning to Burma – and resettling in the former capital of Rangoon or the newly crowned political epicenter of Naypyitaw – unattractive. Immersed in an amalgamation of the educated and uneducated and an ethnic patchwork representing Burma's various communities, many Burmese arrivals to Singapore find that their lives change dramatically – often for the better. Burmese, with a strong work ethic, quickly assimilate and warm to their new jobs. And even if not a fully liberal democratic nation, the Burmese exist within a Singaporean society that blends both religions and races. Burmese living in the Lion City relish their newly found earning power and appreciate the freedoms found in Singapore that do not exist back in Burma, such as the freedom and respect shown toward religious practice and equal treatment regardless of race or ethnic background.  In contrast to their life in Singapore, Burmese recall the Burmese junta's treatment of Buddhist monks following last year's Saffron Revolution, when members of the clergy were subjected to arrest and torture, their monasteries raided. Meanwhile, Singapore's Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, publicly welcomes foreign talent and has taken a progressive step by encouraging all Singaporeans to accept immigrants with open arms and recognize their contributions to Singapore's economy and society. However, there is also a certain degree of alienation associated with the Burmese community in Singapore, as represented by young people who are unable to attain traditional Burmese values, customs and culture growing up in the city-state. But the simple truth is that many Burmese prefer to surrender their national identity and live beyond the reach of Burma's military rulers, while Burma's military government conceals the number of Burmese who choose to forfeit their citizenship. U Kyaw Win, 52, an Assistant Project Manager, abandoned his Burmese citizenship and became a Singaporean citizen. "The reason I converted my citizenship is that I had made a decision based on the further education of my children. And also I wanted to get rid of the problem of double taxation. Now I need to pay only one country's taxes," explained U Kyaw Win. Generally speaking, when considering whether or not to sacrifice their Burmese citizenship, most parents site their children's education and career possibilities as their top priorities in reaching a verdict. But the elimination of double taxation is also a real concern, as each family has to pay a huge amount of money to the Burmese Embassy if the entire family has been working; while nationals over 21 years of age have to pay tax according to their income. From a patriotic point of view, surrendering one's citizenship is a contentious issue. Ultimately, Burmese who repudiate their Burmese citizenship pledge their allegiance to a new national oath, sing a new national anthem and acquire a passport that reads 'Singapore'. However, Burmese Singaporean citizens can never entirely break free of their former national identity and the abusive diktats of the ruling generals in Naypyitaw. As former citizens, they are forced to pay double visa fees if ever they wish to return to visit their native country. < Prev   Next >