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Singapore Blocks Foreign Election Ads Urging Religious Voting

Authorities enforce new election rules, targeting online posts by foreign individuals promoting divisive religious narratives ahead of May 3 polls.

A general view of the Parliament House in Singapore June 2, 2016. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
Figurines with computers and smartphones are seen in front of Facebook logo in this illustration taken, February 19, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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Overview

  • The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) directed Meta to block Facebook posts by two Malaysian PAS politicians and a former Singaporean now Australian citizen for attempting to influence GE2025 along religious lines.
  • The targeted posts, deemed to undermine social cohesion, criticized the Singapore government’s handling of religious issues and called for votes based on racial and religious identity.
  • The Workers' Party (WP) denied making promises to religious teacher Noor Deros or any individual in exchange for political support, reaffirming its commitment to secular and inclusive politics.
  • Opposition parties, including SDP, PSP, and NSP, rejected foreign interference and emphasized that only Singaporeans should determine the nation’s political future.
  • Singapore’s government reiterated that religion and politics must remain separate to preserve the country’s secular and multiracial harmony.