Shanmugam explains foreign interference law as racial and religious mix 'easily exploitable'

Singapore has passed a law, also known as the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA), which aims to prevent, detect and disrupt foreign interference in its domestic politics conducted through hostile information campaigns and the use of local proxies.

FICA gives the Ministry of Home Affairs the power to issue directions to various entities such as social media services, relevant electronic services, internet access services, as well as persons who own or run websites, blogs or social media pages, to help the authorities investigate and counter hostile communications activity that is of foreign origin. It bill was first introduced mid last month.

During the recent parliamentary session, law and home affairs minister K. Shanmugam (pictured) explained that FICA is an update to ensure that Singapore's laws can deal with online hostile information campaigns by allowing for the disclosure of information by global platforms. He added that global platforms are often "vectors for hostile information campaigns" and the details outlined in the act update "the analogue powers for the Internet age". 

Shanmugam said Singapore's racial and religious mix is "easily exploitable" by different countries and the government sees "a steady build-up of different narratives which is being cleverly done". "It is not obvious propaganda but conditions people to think in certain ways particularly on foreign policies used, often appealing to a larger racial identity beyond the Singaporean identity. This is one of the most serious threats we face and our population and most members of parliament aren't aware of this," he added.

According to him, the bill has been discussed "very seriously and extensively" for more than three years by the select committee, citing extensive evidence from reports and studies from Brookings Institution, Council for Foreign Relations, and Rand Institute, for example. He added that the topic of foreign interference has also been extensively covered in the media with headlines such as "Stronger laws planned to combat foreign interference" and "Singapore to have legislation to combat the increased risk of foreign interference".

"The threat of foreign interference and its seriousness is not disputed by most people. Most also agree that something needs to be done. So this is the context in which we are moving this bill," he explained.

Under FICA, a “Technical Assistance Direction” can be issued if the minister suspects that there are preparations or plans to undertake an online communication activity in Singapore by or on behalf of a foreign principal. If there is reason to believe that the social media or relevant electronic service user accounts are being used, or being set up with the intent of being used for hostile information campaigns, the minister will be able to issue Account Restriction Directions to the providers of these services. These directions will require them to block content in these accounts from being viewed in Singapore.

In 2018, the government formed a select committee to study the issue of fake news which eventually led to the passing of the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act in 2019. Under the law, those who spread or accelerate online falsehoods could face jail terms of up to 10 years and fines of up to SG$1 million.

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Photo courtesy: 123RF