Oral Reply to Parliamentary Question on Avenues for Politically Significant Persons to Seek Clarifications on Complying with Provisions of the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act 2021

Question:

Ms He Ting Ru : To ask the Minister for Home Affairs since the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act 2021 came into full force on 29 December 2023 and with the wide drafting of some of the provisions of the Act, what options are available to politically significant persons who wish to seek clarifications about complying with provisions of the Act, especially those beyond the guidelines which are periodically issued by the Registrar of Foreign and Political Disclosures.

Answer:

Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development:

1. During the passing of the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA) in 2021, we explained that FICA needs to be drafted to deal with the different ways in which foreign actors, who want to do us harm, can interfere in our domestic politics. We have also seen, both in Singapore and overseas, examples of how these threats can be manifested, including through journalists and academics. Examples were shared in this House. Interactions with Politically Significant Persons (PSPs) which may at first glance appear normal, may in fact be a vector for foreign interference. FICA gives us the levers to prevent, detect, and disrupt these threats.

2. FICA imposes obligations on PSPs. If a PSP is unsure, the normal process will be to take legal advice – this is what people do, when they want to know about how a law applies. They can also refer to the information kit provided by the Registry of Foreign and Political Disclosures. The Ministry of Home Affairs has been interacting with MPs, including those from the Workers’ Party, giving briefings, answering questions, and also responding to feedback.

3. Thank you.