Singaporean authorities have directed social media platforms to restrict access to online content targeting the Indian community, alleging that Singapore is being overwhelmed by Indians. The Ministry of Home Affairs in Singapore disclosed that the content likely originated from a Chinese platform and was shared on various other platforms and websites. The content utilized images and videos from Little India and Pagoda Street to support the narrative of Singapore being excessively populated by Indians, as reported by The Straits Times.
The Ministry stated that such content undermines Singapore’s multicultural model and firmly opposes nativism and xenophobia. It emphasized the rejection of any attempts to create discord among communities, especially when instigated by foreign sources. The authorities, in conjunction with the Singapore Police Force, determined that these posts may violate Section 298A of the Penal Code, which addresses offenses related to inciting enmity between different racial groups.
The reported content also contained derogatory language targeting the Indian community, using terms like “concentration of curry” to describe the increase in the Indian population. Law Minister Edwin Tong emphasized the unacceptability of such content, highlighting the importance of safeguarding social cohesion. Directions to disable the content under the Online Criminal Harms Act were issued for platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and X, primarily featuring posts in Chinese.
The Ministry condemned these actions as deliberate attempts to sow discord and promote ill-will towards the Indian community in Singapore. It urged the public to be vigilant in consuming and sharing online information, emphasizing the importance of rejecting any efforts to divide society.
