State Rep. Karl Bohnak on Thursday highlighted serious concerns over foreign influence in Michigan after reporting by Bridge Michigan uncovered that the government of Singapore owns 5% of the Upper Peninsula’s land. The property, mostly used for timber harvesting, is scattered throughout the U.P.

“It’s deeply concerning that so much of our U.P. land is owned by a foreign nation,” said Bohnak, R-Deerton. “Singapore has no tie to the U.P. The owners of this land aren’t investing in our local schools or serving on local boards. They aren’t putting the money they’re making off our land back into our communities. No foreign government should be able to swoop in with handfuls of cash and steal property and opportunity from local investors. Every bit of U.P. land that isn’t locally owned is a lost chance for more homegrown jobs and businesses.”

Earlier this year, Bohnak supported legislation that would address foreign influences in Michigan. The package, which is currently stuck in the state Senate, would ban foreign adversaries from purchasing Michigan farmland and all land near military bases and other critical infrastructure. The plan also bars foreign adversaries from collecting sensitive information on government devices through foreign-based apps, prohibits them from entering into constraining agreements with public bodies like schools or universities, and protects residents’ personal health information by requiring that critical health care technology is physically maintained in the U.S. or Canada.

“We can’t allow foreign governments to threaten our sovereignty and national security,” Bohnak said. “I’m proud to support efforts that would limit foreign influences so we can protect ourselves from all foreign threats. When countries own large swaths of our land, they take away opportunities from U.P. companies.”

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