'Singapore is safe,' says the grandfather of nine, who lived in Kluang, Johor, before he immigrated here. He also liked the 'environment and good sanitation' here.

'I know that I cannot adapt to the climate in other countries. I will have no trouble integrating in Singapore,' he adds.

Born in Kuala Lumpur, the former English teacher and owner of rubber and oil palm plantations moved to Singapore six years ago with his wife, Madam Gan Geok Mui, 86. She is also a permanent resident.

The couple, who have been married for 68 years, live in a 3 1/2-storey bungalow off Holland Road with their eldest son, a civil servant, and his family.

They have five children - two living in Singapore, three in Canada, Australia and the United States.

In his younger years, Mr Teh often travelled to Singapore for work. But it has taken him this long to apply for permanent residence.

'I was over 80 years old when I moved here, and I didn't know I could apply to be a PR as I was not contributing to the economy,' he says.

Read the full story and more in The Sunday Times today