(April 7): Singapore designated real estate billionaire Robert Ng and three of his children as “politically significant persons” (PSPs) under a law designed to curb foreign influence. 

The Sino Group chairman and his family members declared their overseas political ties as required by law of Singapore citizens, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday. Individuals with that designation must adhere to various stipulations, including the disclosure of political donations in excess of S$10,000 (US$7,427 or RM33,295) they receive, the government website said. 

“To be clear, the intended designations of the four individuals are not because they have engaged in any egregious activity,” it said. 

The three children — Daryl, Nikki and David — all Singaporeans, also received the PSP label, according to the ministry, which did not say what foreign political body they are members of. 

The elder Ng’s Hong-Kong based firm controls the Conrad hotel in the city. His net worth is US$3.2 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. 

His biography on the Sino Group website says he served as a member of the 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th National Committees of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, an influential political advisory body on the mainland known as the CPPCC for short. 

Passed in 2021, Singapore’s Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act also gives officials the authority to order social media platforms to disclose information behind posts. While the government said the measure is needed to prevent hostile information campaigns, opposition politicians expressed concerns it might be used to muzzle dissent. 

Sino Group did not immediately respond to Bloomberg’s request for comment on Monday. A spokesperson for developer Far East Organization — affiliated with the elder Ng — did not immediately comment when reached by Bloomberg. 

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