Singapore has designated real estate tycoon Robert Ng and three of his children as “politically significant persons” under a law aimed at curbing foreign influence in the city-state.
Ng, who is the chairman of Hong Kong-listed Sino Group, and his children—Daryl Ng, Nikki Ng and David Ng—declared their foreign political ties as required by Singapore law of its citizens, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement on Monday.
“To be clear, the intended designations of the four individuals are not because they have engaged in any egregious activity,” the ministry said. Individuals designated as “politically significant persons” are required to disclose political donations they receive in excess of S$10,000 ($7,427), it added.
The ministry did not say which foreign political entity Ng and his children are affiliated to. They are members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, according to Sino Group’s website.
Robert Ng, 72, is the eldest son of the late Ng Teng Fong, who moved from China to Singapore in 1934 and came to be known as “The King of Orchard Road” for developing some of the oldest shopping malls in the area. Together with his brother Philip, the family also controls Far East Organization, one of the Lion City’s largest private landlords and property developers.
With a net worth of $14.4 billion when the Forbes Asia list of Singapore’s 50 Richest was published in September, the Ng family is among the richest in the city-state.
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