Singapore’s Grab clarifies conflict of interest policies as MP Tin Pei Ling’s role sparks concerns

Tin, a three-term lawmaker from the ruling People’s Action Party, will run the superapp’s government affairs department

Some have questioned if she would be able to draw a ‘red line’ between both roles, or handle an issue where both the government and tech firm clashed

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Grab delivery cyclists in Singapore. The superapp has stirred controversy with its new Singapore director of public affairs and policy. Photo: AFP

Published: 7:38pm, 3 Feb 2023

Southeast Asian superapp Grab’s appointment of a well-known Singaporean lawmaker to run its government affairs department in the city state has stirred controversy, with observers raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

Grab, the region’s biggest ride-hailing app – and part-owner of one of Singapore’s four digibanks – on Wednesday said Tin Pei Ling, 39, was appointed its director of public affairs and policy in the country.

Online commentators on her Facebook largely congratulated Tin for her appointment but some raised questions about potential conflicts of interest.

Tin, 39, responded to the criticism in a post on LinkedIn, saying that she would be “transparent and above board”. She said both Grab and the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) had rules compelling members to declare or avoid possible conflicts of interest.

“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,” she said. “When I am working on behalf of Grab, I will have to ensure that Grab’s interests are safeguarded.”

Tin Pei Ling, at 27, was the youngest candidate fielded by the ruling People’s Action party in 2011. Photo: AFP

On the PAP website, Tin is listed as the chairperson of a government parliamentary committee that looks at communications and information.

Singapore’s Grab clarifies conflict of interest policies as MP Tin Pei Ling’s role sparks concerns

Tin, a three-term lawmaker from the ruling People’s Action Party, will run the superapp’s government affairs department Some have questioned if she would be able to draw a ‘red line’ between both roles, or handle an issue where both the government and tech firm clashed

Tin, a three-term lawmaker from the ruling People’s Action Party, will run the superapp’s government affairs department

Some have questioned if she would be able to draw a ‘red line’ between both roles, or handle an issue where both the government and tech firm clashed