—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, any person

123.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, any person resident in Singapore of or over the age of 21 years may, on application being made therefor in the prescribed form, be registered as a citizen of Singapore if he satisfies the Government that he — (a) is of good character; (b) has resided in Singapore throughout the 12 months immediately preceding the date of his application; (c) has during the 12 years immediately preceding the date of his application resided in Singapore for periods amounting in the aggregate to not less than 10 years: Provided that the Government may exempt any applicant from compliance with this paragraph — (i) where such applicant has during the 6 years immediately preceding the date of his application resided in Singapore for periods amounting in the aggregate to not less than 5 years; or (ii) where in any special case the Government considers fit to confer citizenship upon such applicant; (d) intends to reside permanently in Singapore; and (e) has an elementary knowledge of one of the following languages, namely, Malay, English, Mandarin and Tamil: Provided that the Government may exempt an applicant who has attained the age of 45 years or who is deaf or dumb from compliance with this paragraph. (2) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, any woman who is married to a citizen of Singapore may, on making application therefor in the prescribed manner, be registered as a citizen of Singapore if she satisfies the Government — (a) that she has resided continuously in Singapore for a period of not less than 2 years immediately preceding the date of the application; (b) that she intends to reside permanently in Singapore; and (c) that she is of good character. Registration of minors