1. The Registrar of Foreign and Political Disclosures (“Registrar”) intends to designate Chan Man Ping Philip (Chan), a 59-year-old naturalised Singapore Citizen, as a Politically Significant Person (PSP) under section 48(1) of the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA). 1 The Registrar served a Notice of Intended Designation (“Notice”) to Chan on 2 February 2024, informing him of the intended designation.
2. The Registrar has assessed that Chan has shown susceptibility to be influenced by foreign actors, and willingness to advance their interests. The Registrar has assessed that Chan’s activities are directed towards a political end in Singapore, and that it is in the public interest for countermeasures under FICA to be applied to Chan.
3. As a designated PSP, Chan would be required to disclose the following to the Registrar annually: (i) political donations of $10,000 or more that he receives and accepts, (ii) foreign affiliations, and (iii) migration benefits. These transparency requirements would help to detect and prevent any foreign interference directed towards a political end in Singapore.
4. Chan has 14 days from the date of the Notice to submit representations to the Registrar. If he is designated, Chan may appeal to the Minister for Home Affairs against the Registrar’s decision.
[1] The Registrar of Foreign and Political Disclosures is the competent authority appointed by the Minister for Home Affairs under FICA to be responsible for the administration of the provisions relating to PSPs (except election candidates and election agents).
