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| Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan 'dodged Singapore national service' | Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan 'dodged Singapore national service' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The author whose book Crazy Rich Asians was adapted into a box office hit is wanted by Singapore for failing to report for military service, the Ministry of Defence has said. | The author whose book Crazy Rich Asians was adapted into a box office hit is wanted by Singapore for failing to report for military service, the Ministry of Defence has said. |
| Kevin Kwan, 44, did not register for national service (NS) in 1990 despite being sent notices, the ministry said. | Kevin Kwan, 44, did not register for national service (NS) in 1990 despite being sent notices, the ministry said. |
| He later applied twice to renounce his citizenship, but was rejected as he had not first served NS. | He later applied twice to renounce his citizenship, but was rejected as he had not first served NS. |
| He could face up to three years in jail if he returns to Singapore. | He could face up to three years in jail if he returns to Singapore. |
| All Singaporean men over 18 have to undertake two years of national service (NS) with either the armed forces, the police or the civil defence force. | |
| "Mr Kevin Kwan failed to register for NS in 1990 despite letters sent to his overseas address," said the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) in a statement to the BBC. He also didn't have the right permit for a long term stay overseas. | "Mr Kevin Kwan failed to register for NS in 1990 despite letters sent to his overseas address," said the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) in a statement to the BBC. He also didn't have the right permit for a long term stay overseas. |
| "Mr Kwan is therefore wanted for defaulting on his NS obligations," Mindef said. | "Mr Kwan is therefore wanted for defaulting on his NS obligations," Mindef said. |
| Mr Kwan has not responded to the ministry's statement. | Mr Kwan has not responded to the ministry's statement. |
| The news emerged after the ministry was approached by Singapore newspaper the Straits Times. | The news emerged after the ministry was approached by Singapore newspaper the Straits Times. |
| According to the Times, Mr Kwan grew up in Singapore but left the country at the age of 11 and now resides in the US. | According to the Times, Mr Kwan grew up in Singapore but left the country at the age of 11 and now resides in the US. |
| The BBC was unable to confirm if Mr Kwan now has American citizenship. | The BBC was unable to confirm if Mr Kwan now has American citizenship. |
| The ministry said it would "have to be assumed" that he did or "he wouldn't be able to apply to renounce his Singapore citizenship". | The ministry said it would "have to be assumed" that he did or "he wouldn't be able to apply to renounce his Singapore citizenship". |
| Singapore does not recognise dual citizenship beyond the age of 21. | Singapore does not recognise dual citizenship beyond the age of 21. |
| The government rarely chases up NS-avoiders who have moved overseas, but they can face problems under the Enlistment Act if they try to return to Singapore. | The government rarely chases up NS-avoiders who have moved overseas, but they can face problems under the Enlistment Act if they try to return to Singapore. |
| Penalties include fines of up to S$10,000 ($7,314; £5,672) and imprisonment of up to three years. | Penalties include fines of up to S$10,000 ($7,314; £5,672) and imprisonment of up to three years. |
| Mr Kwan's bestselling Crazy Rich Asians tells the story of an Asian-American woman who gets a culture shock meeting her boyfriend's ultra-wealthy family in Singapore. | Mr Kwan's bestselling Crazy Rich Asians tells the story of an Asian-American woman who gets a culture shock meeting her boyfriend's ultra-wealthy family in Singapore. |
| The film adaptation, the first Hollywood movie in decades to feature an all-Asian cast, topped the US box office on its opening weekend. | The film adaptation, the first Hollywood movie in decades to feature an all-Asian cast, topped the US box office on its opening weekend. |
| It has been a source of pride for many people in Singapore, which rarely features on the international entertainment stage. | It has been a source of pride for many people in Singapore, which rarely features on the international entertainment stage. |