Singapore Orders Removal of Social Media Posts Accused of Inciting Anti-Indian Sentiment 

Singapore authorities have blocked several social media posts accused of inciting racial discord against the country's Indian community. Officials said the content threatened social harmony and violated laws designed to maintain racial and religious harmony in the multicultural city-state. The move reflects Singapore's strict stance on online content that could inflame ethnic tensions or undermine social cohesion. 

SINGAPORE — Singapore authorities have ordered major social media platforms to block access to 14 online posts that officials say sought to inflame racial tensions against the country's Indian community, marking one of the government's strongest responses yet to what it described as a foreign-linked disinformation effort.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced Saturday that it had directed YouTube, Facebook, and X to restrict access to the posts under the country's Online Criminal Harms Act (OCHA), legislation enacted in 2023 to combat online content linked to criminal activity and public harm.

According to authorities, the posts originated from a China-based platform before spreading across social media and other websites. Investigators said the content appeared to be part of a coordinated effort to inject divisive narratives into Singapore's information environment.

Officials said the posts promoted claims that Singapore was being overwhelmed by Indian immigrants and suggested the country's long-standing multicultural policies were merely symbolic. Some content portrayed Singapore's Chinese-majority population as the primary reason for the nation's stability, while questioning the loyalty of Indian politicians and warning of negative consequences from a growing Indian presence.

To support those claims, the posts reportedly used selective images and videos from areas such as Little India and religious events involving the Indian community. Authorities also cited the use of derogatory language aimed at Indians.

The Singapore Police Force issued formal Disabling Directions requiring social media companies to take reasonable steps to prevent users in Singapore from accessing the content.

The government said the material could violate Section 298A of Singapore's Penal Code, which prohibits actions that promote hostility, hatred, or ill-will between racial and religious groups and threaten social harmony.

Singapore has long promoted racial and religious harmony as a cornerstone of its national identity. The city-state's multicultural framework is supported by a range of laws designed to prevent ethnic and religious tensions, with authorities historically taking a firm stance against inflammatory speech.

The Online Criminal Harms Act has expanded those powers, enabling officials to act quickly against online content deemed harmful without relying solely on platform moderation processes.

In its statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs defended the role of Indian migrant workers and residents, noting their contributions to key sectors of Singapore's economy, including construction and infrastructure.

"Singapore firmly opposes nativism and xenophobia," the ministry said, adding that attempts by foreign actors to undermine racial harmony were particularly concerning.

Officials also urged residents to exercise caution when consuming online content and to reject efforts to divide the country's communities along racial lines.

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Source: NDTV