Singaporean businessman Chan Man Ping Philip has been designated as a “politically significant person” (PSP) under Singapore’s Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA), aimed at thwarting foreign interference in domestic politics. This designation by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) requires Mr. Chan to annually report political donations exceeding S$10,000 (US$7,400), disclose any foreign affiliations, and detail migration benefits he receives.
The decision to designate Mr. Chan as a PSP follows the Registrar of Foreign and Political Disclosures’ review of Mr. Chan’s activities and their potential impact on Singapore’s political landscape. Despite Mr. Chan’s submissions in response to the initial notice of intended designation on February 2, the registrar concluded that his activities warranted the PSP designation for the sake of public interest and national security.
PSP status is typically assigned to political figures, including Members of Parliament, political party members, and election candidates, among others. Mr. Chan’s designation falls under a specific provision of FICA that targets individuals whose actions are politically oriented and where countermeasures are deemed necessary for the public good.
As a naturalized Singapore citizen, originally from Hong Kong since 1990, the 59-year-old Mr. Chan was informed of his designation on the same day it took effect. The MHA highlighted that the transparency requirements imposed on Mr. Chan are crucial for identifying and mitigating foreign interference risks.
Mr. Chan has the option to appeal the registrar’s decision to the Minister for Home Affairs, though he has not publicly stated whether he will pursue this route.
This designation marks the first instance of FICA’s provisions being applied since the law’s enactment in December of the previous year. The MHA’s assessment suggests Mr. Chan’s potential vulnerability to foreign influence and his activities that could inadvertently serve foreign interests.
Mr. Chan is well-known within the Singaporean business community, holding significant positions such as the head of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Singapore and president of the Kowloon Club. His business ventures extend into the property sector, where he serves as the managing director of three firms. Beyond his professional engagements, Mr. Chan has actively participated in grassroots and fundraising activities in Singapore for over ten years and held notable roles within community organizations.
Following the MHA’s initial announcement on February 2, Mr. Chan resigned from all his grassroots positions, signaling the immediate impact of his PSP designation on his public and community-based roles.
