New Singapore racial harmony law to take effect Sep 15; inaugural presidential council appointed

“This gives an alleged offender the opportunity to learn from and make amends for his racist conduct, thereby soothing communal tensions and repairing ties between the communities,” said MHA.

The programme will not be offered for egregious cases, such as those involving incitement of violence or conduct that severely undermines social cohesion.

“These cases will continue to be considered for criminal prosecution. This sends the right signal that such conduct will not be tolerated,” said the ministry.

SAFEGUARDS AGAINST FOREIGN INFLUENCE

The Act will set safeguards against foreign influence for designated race-based entities, similar to those currently applied to religious groups under the MRHA.

Designated race-based entities must disclose foreign and anonymous donations, foreign affiliations and leadership composition, and comply with leadership restrictions.

MHA said it would engage race-based entities before designating them and guide designated entities on the reporting requirements ahead of their first reporting obligation in April 2028.

The home affairs minister will also be able to impose stepped-up measures against specific race-based entities by issuing foreign influence restraining orders.

This is to “pre-empt, prevent, or reduce foreign influence that may undermine racial harmony and present a threat to public peace and public order in Singapore”, said MHA. 

Foreign influence restraining orders are subject to the same safeguards as racial content ones, it said.

The Maintenance of Racial Harmony Bill was passed unanimously by parliament in February 2025. Several Workers’ Party MPs, however, voted against the accompanying constitutional amendment that updated the president’s powers. WP chair Sylvia Lim argued that the responsibility of maintaining racial harmony, law and order, should lie with the government and not the president

The new law strengthens Singapore’s ability to preserve racial harmony, respond effectively to emerging threats and safeguard its multicultural society against malicious foreign influence, said MHA.

“Together with ongoing efforts to promote mutual understanding and trust among communities, the Act will help ensure that Singapore remains a cohesive and harmonious multiracial society.”