Singapore citing foreign interference law against businessman Philip Chan shows resolve to curb meddling despite China ‘backlash’ fears: analysts

Analysts say Chan’s case highlights alleged Chinese political interference in Singapore and the government’s readiness to tackle it despite concerns about repercussions

The development also worries the business community, who are urging the authorities to ‘draw a line’ on what deeds qualify as promoting another nation’s interests

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Philip Chan Man Ping will be designated as a “politically significant person” under Singapore’s anti-foreign interference law. Photo: Instagram/@Philip Chan

Published: 5:08pm, 3 Feb 2024Updated: 8:35pm, 3 Feb 2024

Singapore’s decision to serve a notice under the republic’s foreign interference law to one of its naturalised citizens for reportedly advancing Chinese interests in the country signalled the government’s strong stance against external actors despite potential “backlash” from other states, analysts have said.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said Philip Chan Man Ping, 59, will be designated as a “politically significant person”, after having assessed that he has “shown susceptibility to be influenced by foreign actors, and willingness to advance their interests”.

“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 (Foreign Interference Countermeasures Act) to be applied to Chan,” it said in a statement on Friday.

The ministry did not explicitly mention which country Chan, who is the first person to be served a notice of intended designation under the anti-foreign interference law, was acting for. However, a background check on Chan suggests that he was seen to be advancing China’s interests.

A close associate of Chan, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the news came to a shock to many in the business community and stressed the need for the authorities to “draw a line” on what actions would constitute promoting the interests of another country.

Checks by This Week in Asia also revealed that a person with the same name as Chan holds a Hong Kong identification card and is a director of two companies, including China Link Group (HK) Limited, whose registered address belongs to a company in Hong Kong’s Central.