Local authorities are still in contact with their counterparts in the United States regarding the Dickson Yeo espionage case, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) told The Straits Times over the weekend. Although MHA declined to provide further information, observers note that authorities here will likely take no further legal action against Yeo, a Singaporean who was jailed for spying on the United States for China, as his actions did not constitute a direct threat to Singapore.

RSIS Research Fellow Muhammad Faizal Abdul Rahman said the agencies are likely to keep tabs on Yeo to ensure that he reintegrates into society and be “less amenable to covert foreign influence”.  RSIS Assistant Professor Dr Benjamin Ho, who is with the China Programme at the institute, said there are existing ethical guidelines that academics have to