News
NTUC designated as Politically Significant Person under foreign interference law
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) has been designated a Politically Significant Person (PSP) under the FICA, effective 26 July. The Ministry of Home Affairs earlier stated that this pre-emptive measure is intended to protect NTUC from potential foreign interference due to its close ties with the ruling People’s Action Party.
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SINGAPORE: The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) has been officially designated as a Politically Significant Person (PSP) under the foreign interference law, effective 26 July.
In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) noted that NTUC had not submitted any representations in response to the Notice of Intended Designation issued on 11 July under the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA).
On 26 July, NTUC received a notice confirming its designation, which mandates the organization to provide annual disclosures to the Registrar of Foreign and Political Disclosures.
This includes reporting political donations of S$10,000 or more, as well as details on foreign affiliations.
“These transparency requirements will mitigate NTUC’s risk of being a target of foreign interference,” said MHA.
The MHA had previously stated that this pre-emptive measure aims to safeguard NTUC against potential foreign interference, considering its close relationship with the ruling People’s Action Party.
Labour chief Ng Chee Meng expressed that NTUC has no objections to the designation, emphasizing that it is a preventive step against foreign interference.
“We support safeguarding Singapore’s sovereignty and will adhere to the requirements under FICA,” he said in a statement.
Mr Ng also assured that NTUC will persist in advocating for workers’ interests, including better wages, welfare, and career opportunities.
“We assure the public and our partners that our operations and services will continue unabated,” Mr Ng said.
Foreign Interference Law and Its Implications
Passed in October 2021 after extensive parliamentary debate and push-back from the Workers’ Party (WP) and Progress Singapore Party (PSP), FICA aims to enhance the government’s capability to prevent, detect, and disrupt foreign interference in domestic politics.
Entities defined as PSPs under FICA include political parties, political office holders, Members of Parliament, election candidates, and their agents.
The first individual designated as a PSP under FICA was Singaporean businessman Philip Chan Man Ping in February 2024, due to his susceptibility to foreign influence.
NTUC became the third organization designated as a PSP, following human rights groups Maruah and Think Centre.
NTUC’s symbiotic relationship with PAP
The relationship between NTUC and the PAP dates back to NTUC’s founding in 1961 by pro-PAP unionists.
NTUC and its affiliated unions have been members of the international labour movement since the 1960s and maintain foreign affiliations with organizations such as the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Asia Pacific) and the ASEAN Trade Union Council.
NTUC has 1.3 million members and unites 58 trade unions, seven trade associations, seven social enterprises and other partners under its umbrella.
As at May 2024, about 45 per cent of union members were professionals, managers and executives.
NTUC and PAP’s close partnership was highlighted in a May Day Rally speech by then-Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in 2023, where he described the two as “sibling organisations” that collaborate closely.
Mr Wong emphasized that the basis of Singapore’s tripartism – collaboration between unions, employers, and the government – lies in the symbiotic partnership between NTUC and PAP.
NTUC’s chief Ng Chee Meng, who is also a former Cabinet minister, was co-opted into the PAP’s central executive committee (CEC) after losing his parliamentary seat to WP in the 2020 General Election.
Ng famously posted on his Facebook page back in 2021, saying, “Indeed, NTUC Singapore has been the symbiotic partner of the PAP to enable workers towards better lives. Our core purposes are the same, and wearing the logos this morning reminded me of service to country and to fellow Singaporeans”.
In addition to Mr Ng, several members of NTUC’s central committee hold political office or are sitting MPs.
This includes NTUC deputy secretary-general Heng Chee How, who serves as Senior Minister of State for Defence and is an MP for Jalan Besar GRC, and NTUC deputy secretary-general Desmond Tan, who is Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office and an MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.
Concerns emerge over NTUC Income sale to Allianz
On 17 July, German insurer Allianz proposed a S$2.2 billion cash deal to acquire a 51 per cent stake in Singapore’s home-grown Income Insurance.
The offer, priced at S$40.58 per share, represents a 37.3 per cent premium over Income’s net asset value per share as of 31 December 2023. If successful, this acquisition will propel Allianz from the ninth to the fourth-largest composite insurer in Asia.
NTUC Enterprise, currently holding a 72.8 per cent stake in Income Insurance, will remain a substantial shareholder if the sale is finalized.
Formerly known as NTUC Income Insurance Co-operative, it remains the only insurance co-operative in Singapore, serving around 2 million customers with life, health, general insurance, and investment-linked products.
Concerns about the possible sale have been voiced by former CEO of NTUC Income Co-operative Tan Suee Chieh and Ambassador-at-large Professor Tommy Koh.
Dr Koh emphasized that NTUC Income was founded to serve a social purpose and argued against selling it, while Mr Tan highlighted that Allianz’s profit-driven ethos contradicts the co-operative’s mission of maximizing social impact.
Public sentiment online reflects dissatisfaction with the corporatisation and potential sale, with customers feeling misled about the cooperative’s promises and benefits.
On 25 July, NTUC Enterprise chairman Lim Boon Heng assured Income Insurance will continue to provide affordable insurance for lower-income customers following the deal with Allianz.
He stated that NTUC Enterprise will remain an active shareholder to ensure the company adheres to its social commitments. His comments were in response to concerns about the acquisition by the German company.
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CCP China is known to have spread its wings into most countries via a collaborated net work of PSPs and their police force.US, Canada ,France, Germany , Italy ,UK and the Nordic countries have began taking appropriate measures to extradite these elements hidden and operating out from CCP’s embassies, Chinese business clans and associations.Our once Sunny Nation had over several decades whole heartedly invited doves after doves of foreign talents to work and subsequent become naturalised citizens.Mass immigration would inevitably open SG to foreign infiltration.Given what CCP China had done in the west,it is a real possibility they may have… Read more »
I earn 200 dollars per hour working from home on an online job. I never thought I could accomplish it, but my best friend makes $10,000 per month doing this profession and that I learn more about it.
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For Details►—————————➤ 𝐖𝐰𝐰.𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧.𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞𝟗.𝐜𝐨𝐦
Apparently less people join ranks of PAP as a party member.
Now the PAP has enlarged it’s base of supporters MELTED the full ranks of 100s of 1000s of union members into it’s DE FACTO ranks – any labour or union member dare TO DENOUNCE the PAP openly OR EVEN NOT VOTE PAP?
POFMA and PSP began it’s existence, full of energy and promise, and as yet, … has not failed to deliver, all of the whims, wishes and wicked desires of this regime !!!
A KINETIC Singapore of KINETIC Citizens ruled VORACIOUSLY unfairly, FARSICALLY, Authoritatively, calling itself a DEMOCRACY – TOXICALLY – How SG survive ACTUALLY is a Gigantic Make BELIEVE Dream.
Obviously SHALLOWLY educated SGs MIXED with DISCARDED 3rd World Trash is a GREAT MIX, sheepishly the best group for human degradation by Millionaires.
The Mysterious Singapore under the ENDLESS MANIPULATION of Millionaire Rich PAP Politicians IS A CLASS ACT surpassing the eminent egregious Enid Blyton.
They FORCED Singaporeans to sleep, even in BROAD DAYLIGHTS.
Now thy EVEN DICTATE what dreams Singaporeans CAN dream about.
National Trade Union Congress – why is an Union, A NATIONAL UNION, a State Entity, with control of labour unions in the whole of SG, designated political status?? Only Uniquely Singapore.
Goodness. Already a laughing stock.
Now what? Singapore is A Living Dead.
Recall the kelong president was heavily involved in NTUC. Was her appointment influenced by foreign interference, since history now has shown she really bo-liao doing anything for Singaporeans.
If you have already allowed thousands of foreigners into Singapore and given them citizenships, this Law that you are applying to NTUC is an eyewash. It is again much to do about nothing. Just hoodwinking the true blue Singaporean.If there is a threat to the State, it is already in the State not outside.
Is there a split in the oligarchy?
Is Shamu messing around with LW and the 4G?
Hope they break up!
Is it coincidentally to show they are being fair and not using it as political weapon? Or eventually it may end up being sold to MNC?
“On 25 July, NTUC Enterprise chairman Lim Boon Heng assured Income Insurancewill continue to provide affordable insurance for lower-income customers following the deal with Allianz.” Most customers won’t fall under “lower income” if they will maintain a profit-driven organization. In other words, the targeted majority shall be made to serve profits and gain by the top tier Two-tier treatment which they were not upfront or intentionally silent or undisclosed So who say the top is incorruptible? Corruption – Corruption is a form of dishonesty or….undertaken by a person or an organization which is entrusted in a position of authority, in order to acquire illicit benefits… Read more »
On the surface, it looks as if the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA) had worked against the interest of PAP. Or the law appeared to be non-partisan. However, when we think deeper, that may be only 50% truth. Ultimately the NTUC is still closely associated to local workforces as an Union although we know that this union is a toothless kitty. The lower end gullible Singaporean still need the ‘union leader’ to represent their ‘interest’ when things ain’t really that rosy in SG. Practically NTUC is politically influential. However, enterprising NTUC into a money making business with hands into many… Read more »
A law they pass comes back & bite papee’s ass,all the ironclad red shirted individual have no inkling of what the agreed on.
It is quiet Stupid for foreigner to interfere bla bla raw to this esp.. this Chef at the helm