Singapore has directed Facebook parent company Meta to restrict local access to social media posts made by foreigners ahead of the country’s upcoming general election, under recently enacted rules regulating online political content.
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) issued the orders after determining that certain posts by foreign individuals were “intended to promote or prejudice the electoral success or standing of a political party or candidate.”
This election, the first held under social media restrictions introduced in 2023, comes after Singapore officially dissolved parliament. The People’s Action Party (PAP), which has dominated politics since the country’s independence in 1965, is widely expected to retain power.
The regulations prohibit foreigners from publishing online election advertising, broadly defined as any online material that could influence political outcomes.
The Ministry of Home Affairs identified the individuals involved as Iskandar Abdul Samad, national treasurer of Malaysia’s Parti Islam Se-Malaysia, Mohamed Sukri Omar, youth chief of the party’s Selangor branch, and Zulfikar bin Mohamad Shariff, an Australian who gave up his Singapore citizenship in 2020.
Mr. Samad had posted messages expressing support for Faisal Manap, a candidate from the opposition Workers’ Party. Meanwhile, Mr. Shariff criticized Malay-Muslim MPs in Singapore for allegedly failing to represent Muslim interests and argued that Singapore did not need more Malay MPs who, in his view, were ineffective.
Authorities said these posts could sway voters along racial and religious lines, interfering in Singapore’s domestic politics.
Malays, who are recognized as Singapore’s indigenous population, make up around 13.5% of the country’s mainly ethnic Chinese population.
In response to the takedown order, Mr. Shariff posted on Facebook, accusing the ruling PAP and its supporters of being “scared” and “desperate,” and announced plans to launch a WhatsApp channel and a new website to continue advocating on these issues.
The opposition Workers’ Party clarified that it could not control statements made by foreign figures supporting its candidates. It highlighted that Mr. Manap had spoken about keeping religion separate from politics to prevent its exploitation for political gain.
Singapore’s general election is scheduled for Saturday, May 3.
While the city-state has become one of the world’s wealthiest nations, it is also among the most expensive cities to live in.
The PAP has faced criticism for its tight control over government and society, media censorship, and the use of laws to silence dissent. Growing concerns over income inequality, unaffordable housing, immigration-related overcrowding, and limited freedom of speech have gradually eroded some of the party’s longstanding dominance.
