Grab shifts SG politician to corporate development role

Tin Pei Ling was previously appointed as Grab’s director of public affairs and policy for Singapore / Photo credit: Tin Pei Ling’s Facebbok page

Grab has shifted the role of Tin Pei Ling, a member of parliament in Singapore, from director of public affairs and policy to director for corporate development.

In her new role, Tin will help the super app forge synergies across investments and acquisitions and other strategy development efforts, Grab said in a media statement.

She will not be involved in public affairs and policy work in Singapore and will not represent Grab in its discussions with government officials, the company clarified.

See also: Is Tin Pei Ling’s job title at Grab too on the nose?

“She will be expected to continue abiding by the rules of engagement we have put in place to declare and avoid any possible conflicts of interest, and operate in the same manner as other MPs holding private sector roles,” a Grab spokesperson said.

Grab’s announcement naming Tin as its leader for public affairs and policy had generated discourse around conflict of interests, given her role as MP.

“I understand and have long come to accept the public scrutiny that comes with being an MP,” she said in her Facebook post after the reshuffle. “But I would never want it to hinder my ability to serve my constituents well as MP, or to do my job at Grab effectively. And this would be the case if my intentions and actions in the future are always called into doubt, whether justified or not.”

The People’s Action Party of Singapore (PAP) – the major political party to which Tin belongs – also noted in this post that Tin previously informed the party of her public affairs role and the nature of the job. The PAP originally didn’t raise objections.

However, following public comments about her appointment, it became clear to PAP that “she would be expected to engage regularly with Government ministries and agencies on public policy issues on behalf of Grab.”

The PAP also reaffirms that in her revised role as director of corporate development, Tin’s primary duties “will not involve government relations in Singapore.”