Following severe social media backlash over the past few days, Grab has decided to move Singapore MP Tin Pei Ling to a corporate development role where she will realise synergies across the company’s investments and acquisitions, as well as support strategy development.
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, according to the firm’s statement on Friday.
In early February, the super-app developer appointed Pei Ling as its director of public affairs and policy. However, the appointment sparked a debate about a potential conflict of interest in Ling’s new role.
Ling has been an MP for the currently-in-power People’s Action Party for three terms since 2011. She is serving as the Chairperson of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Communications & Information.
According to the company’s announcement, Grab is said to have worked closely with Ling months in advance to ensure her hiring and the scope of her expected responsibilities are in line with the rules governing her duties and conduct as an MP.
The firm has also established rules of engagement where Pei Ling should not be advocating for Grab’s interest in her capacity as an MP, and correspondingly, she should also not be advocating for her constituency and party in her work within Grab.
Grab said in her new role, Pei Ling will still be expected to continue abiding by the rules of engagement to declare and avoid any possible conflicts of interest and operate in the same manner as other MPs holding private sector roles.
Changes in leadership structures are common for large corporations. Earlier this week, Indonesia-listed tech major GoTo announced a series of changes to its leadership structure as it seeks to enhance focus on corporate governance and drive the business towards profitability.