SG politician reaffirms ‘no conflict of interest’ in new Grab role

Tin Pei Ling, Grab’s new director of public affairs and policy for Singapore / Photo credit: Tin Pei Ling’s Facebook page

Grab’s appointment of Singapore politician Tin Pei Ling to lead its public affairs and policy in the city-state has caused some concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

Tin has spoken out on the social media, saying that her role as a parliamentarian is “distinct” from her position at Grab.

She cited Grab’s rules of engagement and the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) rules of prudence as the bases for “the avoidance of conflicting interests.”

“I am absolutely clear that when I am discharging my duties in my capacity as a Member of Parliament, my constituents and Singapore come first,” Tin writes. “When I am working on behalf of Grab, I will have to ensure that Grab’s interests are safeguarded.”

She also stresses that she will be transparent about which role she represents at a given time.

In a statement to Tech in Asia, Grab said: “Pei Ling has deep on-ground understanding of digital economy policy and close ties with the local community. She will build partnerships and programs to harness the positive potential of technology to create impact in Singapore.”

Tech in Asia has asked the company what the rules of engagement are in this case but the company didn’t clarify.

Members of the parliament (MPs) in Singapore are allowed to hold jobs in the private sector. According to the PAP’s rules of prudence, however, private and public responsibilities must be “rigorously separate.”

Addressed to MPs, the rules further state: “You must not exploit your public position as Government MPs, your close contacts with the Ministers, or your access to government departments and civil servants, for your personal business interest or the benefit of your employers.”

The rules also express that MPs should avoid even an appearance of a conflict of interest: “Never give cause for allegations that you are misusing your position, especially your access to Ministers. That would discredit both you and the Party.”

Tin has been the MP for MacPherson, a single-member constituency located in the central area of Singapore since 2015. From 2017 to 2018, she was also group director of corporate strategy at Jing King Tech Group while still serving as a part-time MP.

She is the current chairperson of the government parliamentary committee for communications and information.