Singapore Blocks 14 Social Media Posts Accused of Inciting Anti-Indian Sentiment

 

 

According to Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the content originated on a China-based platform before spreading across various social media channels. Investigations found coordinated efforts to circulate the material among Singaporean users.

 

The posts claimed that Singapore was being "overrun" by Indians and suggested that the country's multiracial policies were merely intended to gain approval from Western countries. Some narratives argued that Singapore's social stability depended on its Chinese-majority population rather than its multicultural framework. Others alleged that Indian politicians would favour Indian immigrants and warned that a growing Indian population could negatively affect the country.

 

 

To support these claims, the posts used selected images and videos from areas such as Little India and footage of Indian religious events. Authorities also noted the use of offensive and derogatory language directed at the Indian community.

 

The MHA stated that the content may violate Section 298A of Singapore's Penal Code, which criminalises acts that promote hostility, hatred, or ill-will between racial or religious groups and threaten racial harmony.

 

The Online Criminal Harms Act, introduced in 2023, allows authorities to quickly direct online platforms to remove or restrict access to content linked to criminal activity without waiting for lengthy review procedures.

 

Singapore has long maintained a strict approach towards protecting racial and religious harmony, which is considered a key pillar of the country's stability and national identity. In its statement, the government rejected the narratives circulated online and highlighted the positive contributions of Indian migrant workers, particularly in sectors such as construction.

 

 

The ministry reiterated that Singapore strongly opposes xenophobia and racial discrimination, adding that attempts by foreign actors to create divisions within society are unacceptable. Authorities have urged citizens to remain cautious when consuming online content and to reject efforts aimed at undermining the country's multicultural and multiracial values.