Singapore’s new law aims to protect racial groups against foreign interference

The Maintenance of Racial Harmony Bill, which was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, expands authorities’ powers to issue restraining orders, implement community remedial actions, and introduce safeguards against foreign influence in designated race-based organisations.

“This new bill provides greater legislative teeth to deal with domestic racial matters and expands the means and avenues available to the government in countering racial occurrences,” said Mustafa Izzudin, a senior international affairs analyst at management consultancy Solaris Strategies Singapore.

Singapore authorities have prioritised racial harmony as the bedrock of society, a stance which has since 1965 shaped national policies, from education and housing to politics. Ethnic Chinese comprise about three-quarters of the city state’s 3.5 million citizens, while Malays and Indians make up 15 per cent and 7.4 per cent, respectively.

Under the new law, the country’s Minister for Home Affairs can issue restraining orders against individuals or entities involved in producing or distributing content deemed prejudicial to racial harmony.