Singapore introduced legislation on Tuesday to safeguard clans and business associations linked to racial groups against foreign interference.
Advertisement
If passed, the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Bill will allow a “competent authority” to designate such organisations as “race-based entities”.
The organisations would then have to disclose foreign and anonymous donations, foreign affiliations and their leadership composition.
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.
In a media statement, the home affairs ministry said: “Singapore is vulnerable to external actors exerting malicious foreign influence to exploit race or undermine our racial harmony, to achieve their agenda. Organisations that promote the interests of a racial group or subgroup are potential entry points for such influence.”
Advertisement
Singapore’s resident population is 74 per cent Chinese, 13.6 per cent Malay, and 9 per cent Indian; 3.3 per cent is classified as others.