Singapore orders social media sites to block content, likely from China-based platform, targeting Indian community

“These videos attack our multi-racial society and they try to divide people based on race. This, however, is not who we are. Every community in Singapore here is valued and everyone has an equal place,” said Mr Tong, who is also Minister for Law.

“These videos strike at the very foundation of what makes Singapore home for all of us and they undermine the very basis of our society.”

Mr Tong said the government does not tolerate any narratives that seek to undermine Singapore’s racial harmony, “especially when it is propagated by foreigners”.

In its statement, MHA said Singapore firmly opposes “nativism and xenophobia”. 

“Any attempt to pit one community against another here must be firmly rejected,” said MHA. “These attacks coming from a foreign source are doubly unacceptable.”

NARRATIVES CIRCULATED IN CHINESE ONLINE SPACES

Mr Tong said that there is currently no evidence to suggest that this is a coordinated campaign by any government. Investigations have shown that the content was likely generated organically by various foreign netizens, he added.

“I would say any country seeking to safeguard its social cohesion would agree with us that such content is unacceptable, and would take a similar stance to safeguard their own society,” he said.

The social media posts, which include videos, portray various claims that Singapore is displaying anxiety over its cultural identity and ethnic politics. Such narratives started circulating online in the Chinese information space in May, MHA said.

“Shortly thereafter, online content emerged containing inflammatory narratives about Singapore’s cultural diversity and suggesting that Singapore was being overrun by Indians,” said the ministry.