Singapore authorities ordered YouTube, Facebook, and X to block access to 14 online posts targeting the Indian community. The Ministry of Home Affairs and police said the posts promoted enmity and ill-will between racial groups, likely breaching Section 298A of the Penal Code [1, 2].
The posts selectively used images and footage showing crowded streets in Little India and Indian devotees at a religious festival on Pagoda Street. They claimed Singapore is overcrowded with Indians, targeting migrant workers in construction and other sectors [1, 3, 4].
Investigations found the posts most likely originated from a China-based platform before spreading to other social media sites. The content was primarily in Chinese and circulated narratives alleging Singapore’s multicultural policy is a facade, with true stability claimed to stem from its majority Chinese population [1, 2, 4].
Minister for Law Edwin Tong said there is no evidence these posts are part of a coordinated government campaign, including from China. Instead, the content was likely generated organically by various foreign netizens. He said, “These videos attack our multi-racial society and they try to divide people based on race. This, however, is not who we are. Every community in Singapore here is valued and everyone has an equal place.” [1, 5, 2]
The Ministry of Home Affairs emphasized Singapore firmly opposes nativism and xenophobia, calling foreign attempts to pit communities against one another “doubly unacceptable.” It said the posts were malicious efforts aimed at sowing discord against the Indian community [1]. The ministry also observed deliberate efforts to spread more such content in Singapore.
Police issued orders under the Online Criminal Harms Act 2023 requiring platforms to take all reasonable steps to disable access to these posts for users in Singapore. One removed video showed crowded scenes at the Sri Mariamman Temple during the Thaipusam festival with Chinese commentary; the posting account has since been closed [4].
Singapore’s population is approximately 75% Chinese, 15% Malay, and 9% Indian. Minister Tong added, “I would say any country seeking to safeguard its social cohesion would agree with us that such content is unacceptable and would take a similar stance to safeguard their own society.” He also said Singapore “absolutely does not tolerate attempts to undermine our racial and social harmony.” [5, 2, 4, 6]
The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the move on June 6, briefing the media at Siglap South Community Centre. The posts had begun circulating inflammatory narratives in the Chinese online space since May 2026 [1, 4].
