14 Political Parties Asked for Proof of Existence Yet to Comply With Foreign Interference Law

Fourteen dormant political parties have been asked to provide proof of continued existence as they have not met their reporting obligations under Singapore's foreign interference law, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has said.

- Samuel Devaraj

Responding to queries from The Straits Times on what prompted the Registry of Societies (ROS) to seek such proof via an Aug 7 notice in the Government Gazette, MHA said on Aug 12 the political parties have not complied with the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (Fica), possibly because they have ceased to exist.

"ROS has therefore commenced the cessation process under the Societies Act by publishing in the Gazette a notification calling upon the (political parties) to furnish ROS with proof of (their) existence," said an MHA spokesperson.

"If there is new information that they continue to exist, the Registry of Foreign and Political Disclosures (RFPD) will follow up with the political (parties) accordingly on their reporting obligations."

ROS and RFPD are units under MHA, with RFPD in charge of administering reporting requirements under Fica.