Overview

• Robert Ng, chairman of Sino Group, and his three children have been officially designated as 'politically significant persons' by Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) under the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA).
• The designation stems from their roles in China's top political advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which they disclosed to the Registry of Foreign and Political Disclosures in 2024.
• As a result, the Ng family must annually report political donations exceeding S$10,000 and provide details of their foreign affiliations and benefits.
• The MHA clarified that the designation is not linked to any egregious activity but is aimed at enhancing transparency regarding foreign influence in domestic politics.
• This marks the second application of FICA provisions, following the designation of businessman Philip Chan Man Ping in 2024, signaling Singapore's commitment to countering foreign political interference.