After decades touting openness, Singapore sees foreign meddling threat
Al Jazeera
City-state’s invocation of foreign interference law highlights challenges of maintaining a highly globalised economy.
Singapore – For decades, Singapore marketed itself as one of the world’s most open and globalised economies to compensate for its diminutive territory and lack of natural resources.
Now the Southeast Asian city-state is confronting a new challenge: retaining the magic ingredients of its success while guarding against foreign interference that such openness could invite.
On Monday, Singapore invoked its foreign interference law for the first time by designating Chan Man Ping Philip, a 59-year-old naturalised citizen, as a “politically significant person”, weeks after authorities flagged their intention to designate the businessman.
Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs said that Chan, who was born in Hong Kong, had shown “susceptibility to be influenced by foreign actors, and willingness to advance their interests”.
Under the designation, Chan is required to disclose annually political donations of 10,000 Singapore dollars (around $7,400) or more that he receives, foreign affiliations and migration benefits.
