Singapore designates ex-Hong Kong businessman Philip Chan ‘politically significant’ under foreign interference law
Chan was notified of the designation on Monday, and it took effect on the same day.
As a designated politically significant person, Chan is required to disclose certain information to the Registrar of Foreign and Political Disclosures yearly.
These include political donations of S$10,000 (US$7,420) or more that he receives and accepts, foreign affiliations, and migration benefits.
Is Singapore ‘warning’ others by hauling up businessman for foreign interference?
“These are transparency requirements to help detect foreign interference,” the ministry said, adding that Chan has a right to appeal to the home affairs minister against the registrar’s decision.
When asked on Monday if he intends to appeal, Chan declined to comment.
The ministry had previously said Chan “has shown susceptibility to be influenced by foreign actors and willingness to advance their interests”.
He was patron of the Punggol Park Community Centre Management Committee since January 2014 and a patron of the Bukit Timah Community Club Management Committee since September 2014.
Apart from that, he was also patron of Kampong Chai Chee Citizens’ Consultative Committee and Bukit Timah Community Club Management Committee. Chan has since stepped down from all these appointments.
Under the Foreign Interference Countermeasures Act, a defined politically significant person is one who is subject to the “most stringent countermeasures” given the person’s direct involvement in Singapore’s political processes.
This would comprise political parties, political office-holders, members of parliament, central executive committee members of political parties, and election candidates and their election agents.
The act also empowers a competent authority to designate individuals and organisations as politically significant persons if the relevant conditions are met.
Its latest provisions to counteract foreign interference done through domestic proxies took effect on December 29 last year.
As of December 29 last year, two non-governmental organisations, Think Centre and Maruah, have been designated as politically significant persons.