Singapore Designates First 'Politically Significant Person' Under New Foreign Interference Law

Businessman Philip Chan has been officially designated due to his advocacy for Chinese interests, marking a significant application of Singapore's FICA.

• Singaporean businessman Philip Chan has been designated as a 'politically significant person' under the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA), a first since the law's enactment.
• Chan's involvement with China's top political advisory body and his public promotion of China’s interests in Singapore were key factors in the designation.
• The designation requires Chan to annually disclose political donations over S$10,000, foreign affiliations, and migration benefits.
• Experts highlight the sensitivity of involvement with foreign political bodies like the CPPCC, emphasizing the need to prioritize Singapore's interests.
• The FICA law, passed in October 2021, aims to prevent foreign influence on Singapore's political landscape, with Chan's case illustrating its application.

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