Author of best-seller ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ could be jailed for 3 years

The author of Crazy Rich Asians, Kevin Kwan, could be facing up to three years in prison in his native Singapore.

Crazy Rich Asians has recently been adapted for the big screen after its initial success as one of a three-part novel series. The movie proved successful- grossing around $35 million in its first five days at the US box-office and stars Constance Wu and Henry Golding as the love-struck couple.

The story’s author did not attend the premiere in Singapore for apparent fear of the authorities seizing him.

Actor Henry Golding, actress Constance Wu, and Kevin Kwan at the LA premiere of Crazy Rich Asians

(CREDIT: Getty Images)

There is a statutory requirement for all male Singaporean citizens (including second-generation residents) to complete compulsory service in the national services. The men serve for at least two years full time in the Armed Forces, Police Force, or Civil Defence Force.

Kevin Kwan allegedly defaulted from compulsory military service, and now it seems he cannot return to his country. The country’s Ministry of Defence claims that the author, who moved to the USA with his family when he was just 11 years old, failed to register for his national service despite letters being sent to an overseas address in 1990.

The Ministry told CNN: “In 1994, his application and subsequent appeal to renounce his Singapore citizenship without serving National Service (NS) were rejected. Mr Kwan has committed offenses under the Enlistment Act, and is liable to a fine of up to $10,000 (£5,685) and/or imprisonment of up to three years upon conviction.”