s 39 Qualifications for membership
39.—(1) The qualifications for membership in a primary society are —(a) in the case of an individual, that the individual —(i) has attained 16 years of age or, if the society is a school co‑operative, has attained 12 years of age; (ii) is a citizen of Singapore or is resident in Singapore; and (iii) meets such other requirements with regard to residence, employment, profession and other matters as are prescribed by the by‑laws of the society; and (b) in the case of an institution, that it is a society, a trade union or a platform work association.[3/2018] [Act 30 of 2024 wef 01/11/2024] (2) Membership in a secondary society is restricted to registered co‑operative societies, trade unions and platform work associations.[Act 30 of 2024 wef 01/11/2024] (3) Membership in an apex organisation is restricted to primary and secondary societies registered under this Act. (4) Despite subsections (1), (2) and (3), membership of individuals in a credit society is restricted to individuals who belong to a field of membership consisting of a pre-existing common bond of association or community of interest among the members thereof. (5) In determining whether the criterion for membership in a credit society prescribed in subsection (4) is met, regard must be had to —(a) whether the members have the same or a similar occupation or profession, are employed by a common employer, or are employed within the same business district or commercial area; (b) whether the members have common membership in a religious, social, co-operative, labour, educational or other association or organisation; (c) whether the members reside, work or worship within the same defined community, district or electoral division; and (d) such other considerations as the Registrar may determine to be relevant. (6) Subsection (4) does not apply to any person who, immediately before 20 October 2008, is a member of any society which provides any financial service and which continues to provide such financial service on or after that date as a credit society, whether by virtue of paragraph 1 of the Schedule to the Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act 2008 or otherwise.[3/2018] (7) A member who may at any time be found to be disqualified for any of the reasons mentioned in this section ceases to be a member of the society.