SINGAPORE: Singaporean businessman Chan Man Ping Philip has been designated as a "politically significant person" (PSP) under a law to counter foreign interference.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Monday (Feb 26) that the Registrar of Foreign and Political Disclosures had considered the representations that Mr Chan had submitted in response to the notice of intended designation that was served on Feb 2.
"The registrar remains of the view that Chan should be designated as a PSP, as Chan’s activities are directed towards a political end in Singapore, and, in the registrar’s opinion, it is in the public interest for countermeasures under FICA to be applied to Chan," said the ministry.
"Politically significant persons" - also referred to as PSPs - can include political parties, political office holders, Members of Parliament, election candidates and their election agents.
Mr Chan's case falls under a provision to designate individuals as a PSP if their activities are directed towards a political end, and it is in the public interest for the authorities to apply countermeasures under Section 48(1) of the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act, known as FICA.
Mr Chan, a 59-year-old naturalised Singapore citizen, was informed of his designation on Monday. It comes into effect on the same day.
MHA said that as a designated PSP, Mr Chan is required to disclose annually political donations of S$10,000 (US$7,400) or more that he receives and accepts, foreign affiliations and migration benefits to the registrar.
"These are transparency requirements to help detect foreign interference," it added.
Mr Chan may appeal to the Minister for Home Affairs against the registrar's decision.
When asked by CNA if he intends to appeal, Mr Chan declined comment.
MHA said earlier this month that Mr Chan, who immigrated from Hong Kong in 1990, is the first person to be served a notice of intended designation under FICA provisions which came into force in December last year.
The ministry previously said the registrar assessed that Mr Chan "has shown susceptibility to be influenced by foreign actors, and willingness to advance their interests".
Mr Chan heads the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Singapore and has been the president of the Kowloon Club since 2011. He is also the managing director of three property firms.
He has also been involved in grassroots and fundraising efforts in Singapore for over a decade, and was a patron of the Kampong Chai Chee Citizens' Consultative Committee and the Bukit Timah Community Club Management Committee.
He stepped down from all grassroots appointments after MHA's announcement on Feb 2.
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The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Monday (Feb 26) that the Registrar of Foreign and Political Disclosures had considered the representations that Mr Chan had submitted in response to the notice of intended designation that was served on Feb 2.
"The registrar remains of the view that Chan should be designated as a PSP, as Chan’s activities are directed towards a political end in Singapore, and, in the registrar’s opinion, it is in the public interest for countermeasures under FICA to be applied to Chan," said the ministry.
"Politically significant persons" - also referred to as PSPs - can include political parties, political office holders, Members of Parliament, election candidates and their election agents.
Mr Chan's case falls under a provision to designate individuals as a PSP if their activities are directed towards a political end, and it is in the public interest for the authorities to apply countermeasures under Section 48(1) of the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act, known as FICA.
Mr Chan, a 59-year-old naturalised Singapore citizen, was informed of his designation on Monday. It comes into effect on the same day.
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MHA said that as a designated PSP, Mr Chan is required to disclose annually political donations of S$10,000 (US$7,400) or more that he receives and accepts, foreign affiliations and migration benefits to the registrar.
"These are transparency requirements to help detect foreign interference," it added.
Mr Chan may appeal to the Minister for Home Affairs against the registrar's decision.
When asked by CNA if he intends to appeal, Mr Chan declined comment.
MHA said earlier this month that Mr Chan, who immigrated from Hong Kong in 1990, is the first person to be served a notice of intended designation under FICA provisions which came into force in December last year.
The ministry previously said the registrar assessed that Mr Chan "has shown susceptibility to be influenced by foreign actors, and willingness to advance their interests".
Mr Chan heads the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Singapore and has been the president of the Kowloon Club since 2011. He is also the managing director of three property firms.
He has also been involved in grassroots and fundraising efforts in Singapore for over a decade, and was a patron of the Kampong Chai Chee Citizens' Consultative Committee and the Bukit Timah Community Club Management Committee.
He stepped down from all grassroots appointments after MHA's announcement on Feb 2.
Continue reading...