Local novelist Kevin Kwan, who wrote the now Hollywood blockbuster Crazy Rich Asians, is wanted in Singapore for failing to register for National Service (NS), and for staying overseas without a valid exit permit.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said yesterday that, “Mr Kevin Kwan failed to register for National Service (NS) in 1990, despite notices and letters sent to his overseas address”.
The spokesperson continued, “He also stayed overseas without a valid exit permit. Mr Kwan is therefore wanted for defaulting on his NS obligations”.
In 1994, Mr Kwan applied and thereafter appealed to be able to renounce his Singapore citizenship without serving National Service. Both his application and appeal were rejected.
According to Mindef, under the Enlistment Act, Mr Kwan is liable to a fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to three years upon conviction.
Mindef added that in 1994, Mr Kwan’s application and subsequent appeal to renounce his Singapore citizenship without serving NS were rejected.
Earlier this week,the Asian premier of the movie was held in Singapore. Of those present were local stars such as Henry Golding, Pierre Png and Tan Kheng Hua. However, Mr Kwan was not present at the event.
Mr Kwan was reported telling the media that he seldom returned to Singapore.
His movie, Crazy Rich Asians, was produced on a budget of US$30 million, but within five days of its launch in 3,384 locations, saw US$34 million.
Singaporean netizens were rather disappointed that Mr Kwan defaulted on his NS obligations.
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