Prison? That’s ‘Crazy’
‘Rich Asians’ scribe faces Singapore draft rap
He’s a crazy rich draft dodger. Kevin Kwan — author of the book-turned-movie “Crazy Rich Asians” — faces up to three years in prison for avoiding military service in his native Singapore, officials said Wednesday.
Singaporean men are legally required to serve at least two years of national service in the country’s army, police forces or civil defense once they turn 18.
Kwan (inset), 44, hasn’t served a single day, according to the country’s Ministry of Defense.
“Mr Kevin Kwan failed to register for National Service (NS) in 1990, despite notices and letters sent to his overseas address,” the ministry said in a statement. “He also stayed overseas without a valid exit permit. Mr. Kwan is therefore wanted for defaulting on his NS obligations.”
The author has been living outside Singapore since age 11, and has attempted to renounce his citizenship.
“In 1994, his application and subsequent appeal to renounce his Singapore citizenship without serving NS were rejected,” the ministry said.
According to officials, Kwan has violated Singapore’s Enlistment Act and is liable to a fine of up to $7,300 and/or imprisonment of up to three years if convicted.
He moved to the United States in around 1990 and has lived here ever since, writing “Crazy Rich Asians” in 2013. The movie, filmed largely in Singapore with an all-Asian cast — earned more than $35 million in its opening five days and was No. 1 at the box office last weekend.
Kwan had been scheduled to appear in Singapore to attend the premiere there on Tuesday night, but failed to show up.
The country has been cracking down on defaulters in recent years, and has even dropped the hammer on family members of federal officials.
In 2017, two sons of Senior Counsel Tan Chee Meng were thrown behind bars for skipping out on their national service obligations, The Straits Times reported.
There have been at least 13 defaulters prosecuted since last year, officials said.
“In court, each gave reasons why he did not enlist as required,” Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen told the Times.
“Some wanted to complete their university degree first before NS,” he said. “At the core of the Enlistment Act, the critical national need for a strong defense puts aside personal pursuits and mandates that each liable male performs his NS when required.”