Make English proficiency a must for new citizens: MP Darryl David

SINGAPORE - MP Darryl David suggested in Parliament today (Jan 26) that potential new citizens should have a basic level of English-language proficiency before they are given Singapore citizenship.

In his first parliamentary speech, the Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency (GRC) said that he observed "quite a few" new citizens having trouble communicating because of their "inability to speak basic English" at a community event welcoming new citizens last year, Channel NewsAsia reported.

"It would be useful to explore how we can make it mandatory for potential new citizens to attain a basic level of English-language proficiency before they're given Singaporean citizenship," The Middle Ground quoted Mr David as saying.

According to CNA, Mr David had said that the challenge today is not in the integration between ethnic groups, but between Singaporeans and new citizens.

sinsh@sph.com.sg