Minister K Shanmugam Clarifies Deportation Process and Legal Considerations
Singapore’s Minister for Home Affairs, K. Shanmugam, confirmed in Parliament on August 6, 2024, that the country did not consult Cambodian authorities before deporting convicted money launderer Zhang Ruijin to Cambodia in June 2024. Shanmugam emphasized that Singapore does not typically consult foreign countries in advance about deportations, as each country is sovereign and has the right to allow or deny entry to individuals upon their arrival.
Zhang, who was convicted of money laundering, was later expelled from Cambodia in July. Shanmugam also addressed concerns raised by the Workers’ Party Member of Parliament Sylvia Lim, explaining that foreign nationals can choose to be deported to any country that their passports allow. However, Singapore’s government does not consider the potential legal environment in the receiving country when making deportation decisions. He further stated that discussions with foreign governments regarding deportations are not disclosed due to operational security and intelligence considerations.
