Academic found to be ‘agent of foreign influence’ no longer employed by LKYSPP: NUS
The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LYSPP) has suspended Professor Huang Jing without pay with immediate effect, after the academic’s permanent residence status was revoked for being an “agent of influence of a foreign country”. Photo: LKYSPP
SINGAPORE — The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) has suspended Professor Huang Jing without pay with immediate effect, after the academic’s permanent residence status was revoked for being an “agent of influence of a foreign country”.
In response to media queries, a spokesperson from the National University of Singapore (NUS) said Prof Huang’s employment with the school was dependent on permits which have been cancelled by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
“Prof Huang’s employment at NUS is conditional on the necessary permits for working in Singapore. As these permits have been cancelled, we would not be able to continue with his employment,” the spokesperson said.
The MHA announced on Friday (Aug 4) that it has stripped Prof Huang of his PR status. Prof Huang, who is a United States citizen, was a Lee Foundation Professor on US-China relations, and director of the Centre on Asia and Globalisation at LKYSPP. Among other things, the ministry said that he used his senior position at the LKYSPP to advance the agenda of a foreign country at Singapore’s expense.
“This is a matter of serious concern, and LKYSPP is cooperating fully with MHA,” said the NUS spokesperson. “NUS does not tolerate such acts of foreign interference, even as we continue to value and uphold the diverse and international character of our University. As this matter relates to national security, the University is unable to comment on the details of the case.”
Prior to MHA’s statement, Prof Huang was reportedly involved in a spat with a taxi driver in June last year, where the police was called in. He had asked the driver to step out of the vehicle and open the door for him, as a way of showing respect to him. When the driver refused, Prof Huang apparently lodged a complaint with the driver’s company, while the driver called the police.
On Wednesday, allegations that Prof Huang was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a research assistant surfaced on social media. The All Singapore Stuff website quoted a school spokesperson saying that it was looking into the matter - this was confirmed by the NUS spokesperson speaking to TODAY on Friday. However, the NUS spokesperson declined to comment further.
