Singapore ruling party MP Tin Pei Ling switches roles at Grab after public outcry

Some had suggested the PAP MP would be susceptible to potential for a conflict of interest if she remained as Grab’s public affairs executive

Grab said the public reaction led it to ‘pause and reflect’ on Tin’s initial appointment, after which both agreed she should move to a corporate development role

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Social media commentators had suggested that People’s Action Party MP would be susceptible to a potential for a conflict interest if she remained in the public affairs role that required liaisons with officials. Photo: AFP

Published: 7:21pm, 10 Feb 2023Updated: 7:58pm, 10 Feb 2023

Singapore ruling party lawmaker Tin Pei Ling has switched jobs in the influential Southeast Asian superapp Grab following sharp public criticism over her earlier appointment as the firm’s director of public affairs and policy in the city state.

Social media commentators had suggested that the People’s Action Party (PAP) MP would be susceptible to a potential for a conflict of interest if she remained in the public affairs role – requiring liaisons with officials – given her party affiliation and Grab’s outsize corporate footprint in the republic.

Grab said in a statement on Friday that public reaction had caused it to “pause and reflect” on how Tin, 39, would simultaneously perform her duties as a Member of Parliament (MP) and as a Grab employee.

Juggling both roles would be “difficult if the intent behind every action or position she takes in the future is doubted or called into question”, said Grab.

Both sides subsequently agreed that Tin should be moved to a corporate development role, the Singapore-headquartered firm said. “In her new role, Pei Ling will not be involved in public affairs and policy work in Singapore, nor will she represent Grab in public policy discussions with Singapore government officials,” said Grab, adding that she will continue to abide by rules that prevent any conflicts of interest that may arise.

In a separate statement on Facebook, the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) acknowledged the change in her role. It said it initially had no objections to Tin’s appointment as Grab’s director of public affairs and policy.

But following public comments about the appointment that surfaced in February, the party reopened discussions on the matter with her. “It then became clear to the party that she would be expected to engage regularly with government ministries and agencies on public policy issues on behalf of Grab,” the party said.

A GrabFood driver waits to pick up an order at the Hong Lim Market and Food Centre in Singapore. Apart from its ride hailing business, Grab is also the biggest food delivery service in the country and part-owner of one of the four Singapore-based digibanks. Photo: Bloomberg