26-2-2024 (SINGAPORE) The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in Singapore has officially designated businessman Chan Man Ping Philip as a “politically significant person” (PSP) under a law aimed at countering foreign interference. The MHA announced on Monday (Feb 26) that the Registrar of Foreign and Political Disclosures had reviewed Mr. Chan’s representations in response to the notice of intended designation served on Feb 2.
According to the MHA, the registrar concluded that Mr. Chan should be designated as a PSP because his activities are directed towards a political end in Singapore, and applying countermeasures under the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA) is in the public interest.
The term “politically significant persons” refers to various individuals such as political parties, political office holders, Members of Parliament, election candidates, and their election agents.
In Mr. Chan’s case, the designation falls under a provision of the law that designates individuals as PSPs if their activities are directed towards a political end, and if applying countermeasures is deemed necessary to prevent foreign interference.
Mr. Chan, a 59-year-old Singapore citizen by naturalization, was officially informed of his designation and it came into effect on the same day. As a designated PSP, he is now required to annually disclose political donations of S$10,000 (US$7,400) or more, as well as foreign affiliations and migration benefits, to the registrar.
The MHA emphasized that these transparency requirements are aimed at detecting and preventing foreign interference.
Mr. Chan has the right to appeal the registrar’s decision to the Minister for Home Affairs. When asked if he intends to appeal, Mr. Chan declined to comment.
Earlier this month, the MHA stated that Mr. Chan is the first person to receive a notice of intended designation under the FICA, which came into force in December last year. The ministry cited the registrar’s assessment, which indicated that Mr. Chan had displayed susceptibility to being influenced by foreign actors and a willingness to advance their interests.
Mr. Chan currently holds positions as the head of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Singapore and the president of the Kowloon Club since 2011. He also serves as the managing director of three property firms.
For over a decade, Mr. Chan has been actively involved in grassroots work and fundraising efforts in Singapore. He was previously a patron of the Kampong Chai Chee Citizens’ Consultative Committee and the Bukit Timah Community Club Management Committee. Following the MHA’s announcement on Feb 2, he stepped down from all grassroots appointments.
