Kevin Kwan case casts spotlight on NS defaulters and what they do to avoid having to serve

Kevin Kwan case raises questions on penalties and process of renouncing citizenship

The Enlistment Act applies to all male citizens and PRs aged from 16½ to 40. Mindef said writer Kevin Kwan failed to register for NS in 1990.
The Enlistment Act applies to all male citizens and PRs aged from 16½ to 40. Mindef said writer Kevin Kwan failed to register for NS in 1990.
The Enlistment Act applies to all male citizens and PRs aged from 16½ to 40. Mindef said writer Kevin Kwan failed to register for NS in 1990.
The Enlistment Act applies to all male citizens and PRs aged from 16½ to 40. Mindef said writer Kevin Kwan failed to register for NS in 1990.
  • Published
    Aug 26, 2018, 5:00 am SGT
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The news that Singapore-born writer Kevin Kwan defaulted on his national service obligations has cast a spotlight on the issue of draft dodgers and what they do to avoid having to serve.

Mr Kwan, who wrote the best-selling book that inspired the movie Crazy Rich Asians, is classified as a defaulter by the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) and could face arrest if he returns here. Mindef said last Wednesday (Aug 22) that the 44-year-old failed to register for NS in 1990, despite notices sent to his overseas address.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on August 26, 2018, with the headline 'Spotlight on NS defaulters'. Print Edition | Subscribe
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