SWERVE

‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Author Kevin Kwan Wanted in Singapore for Skipping National Service

Faces as much as three years imprisonment in Singapore.

Kevin Kwan—the author of the hit novel that spawned the box office-smashing movie Crazy Rich Asians—is wanted in his birth country of Singapore for allegedly failing to register for national service. All male Singapore citizens and second-generation permanent residents must complete the service in one of Singapore’s forces, unless given a formal exemption. Kwan could face as much as three years imprisonment for failing to register. “Mr Kevin Kwan failed to register for National Service (NS) in 1990, despite notices and letters sent to his overseas address. He also stayed overseas without a valid exit permit. Mr Kwan is therefore wanted for defaulting on his NS obligations,” said a statement from the nation-state’s ministry of defense. Kwan didn’t make an appearance at a red-carpet event for the movie in Singapore, unlike most of the Singaporean members of the cast. He’s not yet commented on being a wanted man.