NTUC designated as a “significant political figure” under Singapore’s foreign interference laws

The third organization will be designated as the PSP

Singapore’s foreign interference law aims to strengthen the government’s ability to prevent, detect and deter foreign interference in domestic politics. Passed by Parliament in October 2021 After a long debate.

Political parties, political office holders, members of parliament, election candidates and their agents are defined as PSPs.

The National Trades Union Congress is the third organisation to be designated as a PSP after human rights groups Maruah and Think Centre.

In December 2023, Maruah and Think Centre were designated as PSPs and therefore subject to stricter measures on political donations.

Maruah is committed to promoting human rights at the national, regional and international levels. It is also the Singapore focal point for the ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism Working Group, a non-governmental organization recognized under the ASEAN Charter.

The Reflection Centre is a member of the Asian Forum, an international non-governmental organization dedicated to human rights.

In February this year, Singaporean businessman Chen Wenping Became the first person to be designated as a PSP under the Foreign Interference Act.

The Home Affairs Department said at the time that Mr Chan, who immigrated from Hong Kong in 1990, had demonstrated “susceptibility to influence by a foreign power and a willingness to advance its own interests”. The foreign power involved has not yet been identified.

Law Minister and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam had previously said that when Singapore authorities decide to designate someone as a PSP under the Foreign Interference Act, They must conclude that it is in the public interest to do so.

Shanmugam explained in response to a parliamentary question on Feb 29 that to be designated as a PSP, an individual must be a member of a foreign legislature or a foreign political organisation, or their activities must be aimed at a political purpose in Singapore.

“But beyond that, the public interest standard must be met,” he added.