Singaporean businessman who ‘showed susceptibility’ to foreign influence served notice under anti-foreign interference law

A Singaporean businessman who “has shown susceptibility to be influenced by foreign actors and willingness to advance their interests” has been served a notice under the Foreign Interference Countermeasures Act (Fica).

“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,” it added.

Hong Kong’s home-grown national security legislation, which is currently under its consultation period, has also cited the Foreign Interference Countermeasures Act in its 110-page document.

On espionage-related offences, the financial hub suggested “making reference” to legislations of Australia and Singapore and to replace the concept of “enemy” with “external forces” as the expression of enemy is too restrictive. External forces, nevertheless, could be broader and cover any foreign governments, the authority of any external territory, external political organisation, or its associated entities, it cited.

While on another new proposed offence of “external interference”, the Hong Kong government also suggested referencing the Foreign Interference Countermeasures Act, which introduced offences relating to “clandestine foreign interference by electronic communications activity” with maximum penalties of imprisonment of seven to 14 years.

Two other national security offences Hong Kong has taken references from Singapore were the Penal Code 1871 and Internal Security Act 1960.

The MHA statement did not name the foreign actors or countries that are deemed to be foreign influence in Chan’s case. The businessman has stated in articles and interviews that he came to Singapore from Hong Kong in 1990.

He is believed to be