Singapore designates ex-Hong Kong businessman Philip Chan ‘politically significant’ under foreign interference law

Singaporean businessman Philip Chan Man Ping has been designated as a politically significant person under the Foreign Interference Countermeasures Act, the city state’s Ministry of Home Affairs said.

In a statement on Monday, the ministry confirmed the 59-year-old’s designation, adding that the Registrar of Foreign and Political Disclosures had “considered the representations Chan had submitted in response to the notice of intended designation” previously issued to him on February 2.

Chan is the first person to be issued a “notice of intended designation” since the act came into force in December last year.

The ministry said it “remains of the view that Chan should be designated as a [politically significant person], as Chan’s activities are directed towards a political end in Singapore”, adding that it is in the public interest for countermeasures under the act to be applied to Chan.

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.

“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