Latest news with #MaintenanceofRacialHarmonyBill
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Singapore passes law against foreign interference in race-based organisations
By Bing Hong Lok SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore has passed a law designed to protect against foreign interference in its race-based clans and business associations, as the government looks to limit outsiders from undermining racial harmony in the multicultural city-state. Under the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Bill, which was passed late on Tuesday, if an organisation is designated as a race-based entity, they will have to disclose foreign and anonymous donations, foreign affiliations and their leadership. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. The government can also impose a restraining order to stop an entity from accepting donations from a foreign principal, prohibit anonymous donations or require the entity to return or dispose of donations. The new law also empowers the home affairs minister to issue restraining orders against individuals involved in "content that prejudices the maintenance of racial harmony in Singapore". Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam told parliament the bill was not a panacea for all racial issues and could not prevent insensitivity or racial slights in everyday dealings. "We acknowledge that it may be difficult to enforce offences outside of Singapore, but it signals our commitment to protect our racial harmony, even when the threat originates outside of Singapore." The law was supported by the opposition party, even though some lawmakers urged some caution. Opposition lawmaker Gerald Giam said the broad definition of "foreign affiliation" might unintentionally create barriers for local associations with deep historical ties to overseas groups which had helped preserve Singapore's cultural heritage. Singapore's resident population is 74% Chinese, 13.6% Malay, and 9% Indian, with 3.3% is classified as others. Last year, Singapore designated businessman Chan Man Ping Philip as a "politically significant person" for activities that advanced the interests of an unspecified foreign country. A naturalised citizen of Singapore, Chan had attended the annual session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Beijing and told local media the overseas Chinese community should form an "alliance" and "tell the China story well". Hong Kong-born Chan was the president of the Hong Kong Singapore Business Association.
Reuters
05-02-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Singapore passes law against foreign interference in race-based organisations
SINGAPORE, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Singapore has passed a law designed to protect against foreign interference in its race-based clans and business associations, as the government looks to limit outsiders from undermining racial harmony in the multicultural city-state. Under the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Bill, which was passed late on Tuesday, if an organisation is designated as a race-based entity, they will have to disclose foreign and anonymous donations, foreign affiliations and their leadership. The government can also impose a restraining order to stop an entity from accepting donations from a foreign principal, prohibit anonymous donations or require the entity to return or dispose of donations. The new law also empowers the home affairs minister to issue restraining orders against individuals involved in "content that prejudices the maintenance of racial harmony in Singapore". Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam told parliament the bill was not a panacea for all racial issues and could not prevent insensitivity or racial slights in everyday dealings. "We acknowledge that it may be difficult to enforce offences outside of Singapore, but it signals our commitment to protect our racial harmony, even when the threat originates outside of Singapore." The law was supported by the opposition party, even though some lawmakers urged some caution. Opposition lawmaker Gerald Giam said the broad definition of "foreign affiliation" might unintentionally create barriers for local associations with deep historical ties to overseas groups which had helped preserve Singapore's cultural heritage. Singapore's resident population is 74% Chinese, 13.6% Malay, and 9% Indian, with 3.3% is classified as others. Last year, Singapore designated businessman Chan Man Ping Philip as a "politically significant person" for activities that advanced the interests of an unspecified foreign country. A naturalised citizen of Singapore, Chan had attended the annual session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Beijing and told local media the overseas Chinese community should form an "alliance" and "tell the China story well". Hong Kong-born Chan was the president of the Hong Kong Singapore Business Association.
South China Morning Post
05-02-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Singapore enacts new controls on ‘race-based' groups to promote cohesion
Singapore 's parliament has passed a bill establishing controls on 'race-based' business groups and clan associations that is aimed at safeguarding racial harmony and curbing foreign influence in the financial hub. Advertisement Under the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Bill passed on Tuesday, designated entities linked to Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnic groups will have to disclose foreign donations, overseas affiliations and ensure Singapore citizens are appointed to leadership positions. Minister of Home Affairs K. Shanmugam will also have the power to issue restraining orders against designated groups to combat foreign influence that may 'present a threat to public peace and public order'. 'You cannot, by law, force people of different races to get along with one another,' the minister told parliament on Tuesday. 'The law can set out a framework as to what you can't do.' You cannot, by law, force people of different races to get along with one another K. Shanmugam, Singapore's home affairs minister The bill is the latest in a string of legislation in recent years to clamp down on foreign influence and what the government views as misinformation. In 2021, it passed one such bill that prevents foreign entities or individuals from influencing politics in the country, while another targeting 'fake news' took effect in 2019 Singapore's government has long defended the need for such laws, saying the city state is vulnerable to fake news and hostile information campaigns because it is a financial hub with a multiethnic population and widespread internet access. Ethnic Chinese make up about 75 per cent of the population while ethnic Malays account for 14 per cent and ethnic Indians 9 per cent. People walk past a display for the Lunar New Year of the Snake at the Marina Bay Sands shopping centre in Singapore. Photo: AFP The legislation passed in parliament will result in the designation of more than 300 entities in Singapore as being 'race-based', according to a preliminary government estimate. The government has said it will take at least a year to operationalise all the proposals in it. Advertisement
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Singapore establishes controls on ‘race-based' business groups
By: Philip J. Heijmans (Bloomberg) — Singapore's parliament passed a bill establishing controls on 'race-based' business groups and clan associations that is aimed at safeguarding racial harmony and curbing foreign influence in the financial hub. Under the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Bill passed Tuesday, designated entities linked to Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnic groups will have to disclose foreign donations, overseas affiliations and ensure Singapore citizens are appointed to leadership positions. Minister of Home Affairs K Shanmugam will also have the power to issue restraining orders against designated groups to combat foreign influence that may 'present a threat to public peace and public order.' 'You cannot, by law, force people of different races to get along with one another,' the minister told parliament on Tuesday. 'The law can set out a framework as to what you can't do.' The bill is the latest in a string of legislation in recent years to clamp down on foreign influence and what the government views as misinformation. In 2021, it passed one such bill that prevents foreign entities or individuals from influencing politics in the country, while another targeting 'fake news' took effect in 2019. Singapore's government has long defended the need for such laws, saying the city-state is vulnerable to fake news and hostile information campaigns because it's a financial hub with a multiethnic population and widespread internet access. Chinese make up about 75% of the population while Malays account for 14% and Indians 9%. The legislation passed in parliament will result in the designation of more than 300 entities in Singapore as being 'race-based,' according to a preliminary government estimate. The government has said it will take at least a year to operationalise all the proposals in it. Bills typically become law in Singapore when they are passed by parliament and receive the president's assent, which is usually assured. More stories like this are available on ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
