Investigation findings on social media posts targeting Singapore’s Indian community and measures against external influences

Mr Darryl David: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs regarding the 14 online social media posts which seemingly targeted the Indian community and undermined Singapore's multiculturalism (a) whether investigations have revealed the posts to be a coordinated and deliberate effort by any particular agency or organisation; and (b) if so, what action has been or will be taken against such agency or organisation.

Dr Neo Kok Beng: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs in view of the Disabling Directions recently issued to block online posts targeting the Indian community (a) whether the Ministry will consider reviewing the current national framework and tools to counteract such external influences; and (b) what upcoming programmes or initiatives are being planned to equip residents with the competencies to discern such negative external influences, whether individually or through community efforts.

Ms Hany Soh: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether the Ministry has observed an increase in the number of online posts originating overseas targeting segments of Singapore’s community in the past three years; and (b) how can Singaporeans unite and have a whole-of-society approach to defend against such malevolent campaigns.


Answer:

Mr Goh Pei Ming, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Social and Family Development:

1. Mr Speaker, with your permission, my response will cover oral Question Nos 1 and 2 on today’s Order Paper, and also address a related question filed by Ms Hany Soh for tomorrow’s sitting. If the Member is satisfied with the response, she may wish to withdraw the question after this session.

2. There is currently no evidence to suggest that this is a coordinated campaign by any particular Government or organisation. Investigations revealed that the content likely originated from a China-based platform and was subsequently carried on other platforms and websites, including those on our local information space.

3. The posts attempted to sow discord by inciting ill-will against our Indian community and sought to undermine Singapore’s model of multiculturalism. The content was assessed to constitute an offence of knowingly promoting feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different groups on grounds of race and doing acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony in Singapore under Section 298A(a) of the Penal Code. The Government has issued Disabling Directions under the Online Criminal Harms Act (OCHA) to block access by Singapore users to the 14 online social media posts.

4. In recent years, there has been an increase in AI-enabled and inauthentic content on a range of topics which has seeped into Singapore’s online infospace. We monitor the infospace closely, and will not hesitate to take measures if it is in Singapore’s interests.

5. The Government regularly reviews our laws to ensure that they are updated and fit for purpose to deal with the evolving landscape.

6. Aside from the legislative measures, building up a discerning and resilient populace against external influences is equally important. The Ministry of Defence drives National Education and Total Defence to build a shared understanding of Singapore's foundational values and principles, to deepen our public's sense of identity and nationhood, and to strengthen awareness of and collective resolve against threats that may undermine social cohesion and resilience, including foreign interference (FI). The SG101 website is a one-stop Government site that consolidates educational resources on foreign interference, as well as Singapore's positions on sensitive issues, to help the public better understand our national positions and to stay resilient against attempts to divide us.

7. The National Library Board works to cultivate critical reading as a foundational skill, and to engage the public through its S.U.R.E (Source, Understand, Research, Evaluate) programme, and this equips citizens with the skills to verify and fact-check online content.

8. In addition, we regularly conduct briefings, dialogues and workshops to raise awareness of foreign interference amongst groups including our civil servants, national servicemen, and students. MHA also rolled out a campaign in 2025 on the use of deepfake videos, AI-generated content and other inauthentic online posts to influence overseas jurisdictions to alert Singaporeans to this threat. This effort will continue, so as to raise awareness of the role that our Singaporeans can play.

9. Ultimately, a discerning population is the most important defence against attempts to influence or divide our society. We urge Singaporeans to be discerning when consuming and disseminating information online, and to reject all attempts to divide our society.

10. We take a serious view of threats to our social cohesion and racial harmony, including from external actors, and will act resolutely against them.