Gerald Giam on Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Bill
A new Bill to counter foreign interference in Singapore’s affairs does not do enough to fight "elite capture" - the clandestine foreign lobbying of Singaporeans holding positions of influence. This is done in secret, with the most likely targets being political elites. Making the point in Parliament on Monday (Oct 4), MP Gerald Giam said that was why he had tabled amendments to the Bill to add several more classes of people to the list of defined "Politically Significant Persons". They include permanent secretaries and deputy secretaries in Government ministries and the heads of statutory boards. Mr Giam also called for less reliance on legislative measures and a much bigger focus on public education, such as raising awareness that some countries might play on cultural affinity to further their own agenda.
A new Bill to counter foreign interference in Singapore’s affairs does not do enough to fight "elite capture" - the clandestine foreign lobbying of Singaporeans holding positions of influence. This is done in secret, with the most likely targets being political elites. Making the point in Parliament on Monday (Oct 4), MP Gerald Giam said that was why he had tabled amendments to the Bill to add several more classes of people to the list of defined "Politically Significant Persons". They include permanent secretaries and deputy secretaries in Government ministries and the heads of statutory boards. Mr Giam also called for less reliance on legislative measures and a much bigger focus on public education, such as raising awareness that some countries might play on cultural affinity to further their own agenda.
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