s 59 Administration of estates by consular officers
59.—(1) Whenever any subject or citizen of any State mentioned in the first column of the Third Schedule —(a) dies within Singapore; or (b) dies outside Singapore leaving property within Singapore, and no person is present in Singapore at the time of his death who is rightfully entitled to administer the estate of the deceased person, the consul, vice-consul or consular agent of that State within Singapore may — (i) take possession and have the custody of the property of the deceased person; (ii) apply the same in payment of his debts and funeral expenses; and (iii) retain the surplus for the benefit of the persons entitled thereto. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the consul, vice-consul or consular agent shall immediately apply for, and shall be entitled to obtain from the court, letters of administration of the property of the deceased person, limited in such manner and for such time as to the court seems fit.