Monisha Catherine Iswaran stripped of Singapore citizenship under constitutional clause
The Government of Singapore has revoked the citizenship of Monisha Catherine Iswaran under Article 135(1)(b) of the Constitution, effective 19 August 2025. The move likely relates to the use or application of a foreign passport, though specific details remain unconfirmed. Authorities and the individual have not publicly commented, drawing attention due to her name’s similarity to former minister S. Iswaran’s daughter.
- Monisha Catherine Iswaran’s Singapore citizenship was revoked under Article 135(1)(b), which allows forfeiture for using or applying for a foreign passport.
- The case has attracted public attention because of the individual’s name similarity to former minister S. Iswaran’s daughter, though official details and clarifications remain unavailable.
SINGAPORE – The Government of Singapore has officially announced the deprivation of citizenship of Monisha Catherine Iswaran, citing Article 135(1)(b) of the Constitution. The notice was published in the Government Gazette (No. 3557) on 20 August 2025, with the revocation taking effect on 19 August 2025.
The publication provided no additional details beyond the constitutional clause. Under Article 135(1)(b), a Singapore citizen may be deprived of citizenship if they have, while aged 18 or over and after 6 April 1960, applied for or used a foreign passport. This suggests that the revocation likely relates to Monisha Iswaran’s use or application of a foreign travel document, though the precise circumstances have not been confirmed.
Public Queries and Speculation
The Online Citizen submitted a formal query to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) last week, seeking clarification on whether Monisha Catherine Iswaran is related to former People’s Action Party Minister S. Iswaran. The similarity in names has raised public speculation, though ICA has yet to respond.
Monisha Catherine Iswaran has not made any public statement, including on her LinkedIn page, where there has been no activity since the publication of the notice.
Context and Timing
The timing of the citizenship revocation has drawn attention due to its proximity to the conclusion of criminal proceedings involving figures linked to former minister S. Iswaran. On 15 August 2025, billionaire Ong Beng Seng was sentenced to a S$30,000 fine for abetting obstruction of justice in a case involving S. Iswaran. Ong had belatedly invoiced Iswaran for a S$5,700 business class flight from Doha to Singapore months after the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) uncovered the travel manifest in May 2023.
Ong’s late invoicing was found to reduce the likelihood of detection. Due to his advanced multiple myeloma and severe medical complications, the court imposed a fine instead of a custodial sentence.
Former minister S. Iswaran himself had been sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment on 3 October 2024 for accepting gifts, including flights and hotel stays from Ong. He was released from home detention on 6 June 2025.
Rarity and Legal Framework
Notices under Article 135(1)(b) are relatively rare. The last such notice was published on 25 October 2024. Singapore maintains a strict policy against dual citizenship. The use or application of foreign travel documents by Singaporean adults is a legal basis for citizenship forfeiture, as prescribed in Article 135 of the Constitution.
As of now, there is no public information on whether Monisha Catherine Iswaran has contested the revocation or sought legal redress. Authorities continue to uphold the confidentiality of details related to such citizenship actions.
The case highlights the Singapore government’s firm stance on dual citizenship and adherence to constitutional provisions. It has also drawn public attention due to the timing and the potential familial connections to a high-profile former minister, though no direct confirmation has been provided.
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