March 29, 2024

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Dickson Yeo applied for federal government employment to entry ‘information of interest’ for international handlers: ISD

SINGAPORE: Singaporean Dickson Yeo had used for a variety of federal government positions to entry information that his foreign handlers would be interested in, the Inside Safety Section (ISD) mentioned on Tuesday night (Jun 15).

Previously in the day, ISD introduced that Yeo, 40, had been detained less than the Inside Security Act (ISA) considering that Jan 29 for performing as a compensated agent for a “overseas state”.

Read: Dickson Yeo detained beneath ISA for trying to present reports on Singapore for ‘foreign state’

Although ISD did not name the overseas state, Yeo was previous year sentenced to 14 months’ jail in the US for spying for China towards the US.

ISD stated on Tuesday that Yeo carried out intelligence actions in opposition to Singapore from 2016 until eventually his arrest in the US in 2019.

He was tasked to supply for data and present experiences on troubles of interest to his international handlers, together with facts relating to Singapore.

“To this finish, he had approached various individuals in Singapore in an endeavor to receive facts for the objective of producing his reports,” ISD reported.

Yeo also established up a front company in Singapore as a include for his info-accumulating routines as nicely as conducting recruitment for his foreign handlers. He also attempted, but failed, to get a job in the Singapore Governing administration, ISD reported.

“Yeo had tried to achieve employment in a vary of positions in the general public sector, positions and organizations that he believed would make it possible for him obtain to data of fascination to his overseas handlers,” ISD claimed in response to queries from CNA.

“We are not able to deliver distinct details owing to operational and protection explanations.”

Browse: Singaporean Dickson Yeo jailed for 14 months in US for spying for China

However, ISD claimed people in search of to be a part of the community sector in positions that have to have entry to categorised authorities information will demand safety checks.

“Various things are taken into consideration in the carry out of security clearance, including the character of the operate in the posture, and the sensitivity of the information and facts that the posture bargains with,” it included.

“Security checks will differ for different positions which have distinctive degrees of entry to private information and facts.  For operational reasons, we are not able to go into the specifics.”

Classified Information and facts NOT COMPROMISED

Just after Yeo admitted in a US court docket in July previous calendar year to doing the job with Chinese intelligence officials to obtain delicate info from Individuals, Singapore’s Ministry of Dwelling Affairs explained its investigations into Yeo’s steps did not reveal any direct risk to Singapore’s protection.

ISD described that this assessment was based on original information arising from Yeo’s arrest in the US past calendar year.

“Particulars on the extent of his pursuits in relation to Singapore were surfaced only right after his arrest and investigation underneath the ISA next his return to Singapore,” it stated.

“Nonetheless, our investigation showed that no categorised governing administration information pertaining to Singapore had been compromised. Investigations are ongoing.