SINGAPORE — On October 14, 2025, Home Affairs and Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam made a strong plea in Parliament for opposition parties to “immediately, clearly and unequivocally” reject attempts to inject religion, race or foreign influence into Singapore’s political discourse.
Key Concerns Raised
- Delayed and Ambiguous Responses
Shanmugam criticised the Workers’ Party (WP) for their response during the General Election 2025 regarding statements by a Malaysian-based preacher (Noor Deros) and politicians from Malaysia’s Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS). He said the WP took more than two days to issue a full statement following public calls for support based on race and religion. - Foreign Interference
Events during GE2025 included foreigners (such as PAS politicians) publicly endorsing or supporting certain opposition candidates, or making impassioned appeals along racial and religious lines. Shanmugam remarked that these constituted attempts to influence Singapore’s elections. - Identity Politics as a Risk
The minister warned that encouraging voting along racial or religious lines is “reckless” and sets a dangerous precedent. He argued that accepting identity-based mobilization risks dividing communities and undermining Singapore’s multi-racial, secular foundation.
What Shanmugam Wants
- Political parties must respond without delay whenever incidents involving foreign interference or identity politics arise.
- Responses must be clear, unequivocal and immediate, leaving no room for ambiguity about rejecting such interference or identity-based appeals.
- Ensure that race and religion are not used as political levers, whether by local actors or foreign individuals.
Context & Examples
- Noor Deros Incident (April 2025): Noor Deros, a preacher not accredited in Singapore, made public demands and calls for Malay-Muslim voters to support candidates who meet his religious and communal demands—particularly calling for support of WP’s candidate Faisal over PAP’s Masagos.
- PAS Politicians’ Involvement: Malaysian PAS leaders publicly commenting or posting in support of Singaporean candidates during election period, which authorities later blocked when seen as attempts to influence local politics.
- Worker’s Party’s Statements: WP eventually issued statements rejecting any agreement with Noor Deros and affirming secular and multiracial principles. However, Shanmugam said these came too late and were not sufficiently definitive in the initial period.
Implications
- Political Norms Under Scrutiny: The expectation is being set for immediate public accountability. Future campaigns will likely be judged in part by how promptly and firmly parties address such issues.
- Electoral Integrity & Trust: Delay or ambiguity can erode voter trust, potentially sowing confusion about a party’s stance.
- Risk of Polarisation: If identity politics or foreign endorsements are perceived as normalized, it could lead to communal resentments, undermining the social cohesion Singapore emphasizes.
