Singaporean No More - Iswaran's Daughter, Monisha Catherine Iswaran stripped of Singapore citizenship

In a Government gazette notice dated 20 August 2025, it was revealed that the Singapore Government officially announced the deprivation of citizenship of Monisha Catherine Iswaran under Article 135(1)(b) of the Constitution. The grounds for citizenship removal are likely due to Monisha Iswaran’s use or application of a foreign passport for dual citizenship - which is not allowed in Singapore.

Singapore Government Gazette notice announcing Monisha Catherine Iswaran's cessation of Singapore citizenship

Who is Monisha Catherine Iswaran?

Eagle-eyed netizens were quick to point out the similarities in name to disgraced former Transport Minister S Iswaran. He was charged for corruption and sentenced to 12 months jail.

While there has been no official confirmation, Monisha Catherine Iswaran is likely S Iswaran's daughter. She is currently working as a news broadcaster in Australia. Her alma matter include Australian universities such as Monash University and Edith Cowan University. She also studied at Singapore's School of The Arts (SOTA).

Monisha Catherine Iswaran during her school days at SOTA

Monisha Catherine Iswaran during her university days

Dual citizenship in Singapore

Some netizens have wondered why Monisha Catherine Iswaran was not stripped of her Singapore citizenship earlier. Speculations were abound that it was due to her father holding a Ministerial position, allowing her to obtain "special treatment" and remain under the radar.

However, that is unlikely the case. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) addresses dual citizenship through the Singaporean nationality law, which prohibits adult Singaporean citizens from holding dual citizenship and requires them to renounce their foreign citizenship upon becoming Singaporean. Children with dual nationalities must choose between their Singaporean and foreign statuses before the age of 22, and those who fail to make a choice are automatically stripped of their Singaporean citizenship.

It is possible that Monisha's dual citizenship was not honestly declared, leading to its later discovery. Further investigations into her citizenship status likely took place when she either applied for a new Singapore passport or tried to exercise her foreign citizenship rights (e.g. voting overseas). When a person is found to hold dual citizenship, the Government has the right to immediately revoke his/hers Singaporean citizenship, which happened in Monisha's case.

The grass could be greener for Monisha Iswaran in Australia, but the legacy of her father's misdeeds are sure to follow her, even beyond Singapore. There could be more cases of dual citizenship in Singapore that may not be detected yet, but Monisha's case has shown that it will come to light one day with the deserved repercussions.

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