Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (Fica) laws addressing hostile information campaigns will take effect on Thursday (July 7), according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday.
The law provisions addressing foreign intervention through local proxies will be implemented at a later date.
In accordance with the Fica, which was passed by Parliament in October of last year, the government will be granted greater authority to detect and counter hostile information campaigns — coordinated operations by "hostile foreign principals" that interfere with Singapore's politics and incite social unrest.
It enables the government to give orders to social media platforms, websites, and other internet services in order to investigate and combat foreign interference.
This includes the ability to restrict websites or social media accounts engaging in such aggressive activities, prohibit the distribution of mobile applications in Singapore, and cripple the financial sources for such content.
Shanmugam refutes assertions that the Foreign Interference Bill, which is being hurried through Congress, will limit international partnerships.
A second aspect of the new law, which will take effect at a later date, permits the government to target local proxies, such as politicians, political parties, and other "politically influential individuals."
When it goes into effect, the government will be able to identify individuals and organizations that may be subject to an influence operation. This implies companies will be compelled to reveal their funding sources on a regular basis and give authorities with particular information to help in discovering these operations.
The powers under both prongs are delegated to the Minister for Home Affairs.
Foreign interference poses a grave threat to Singapore's political sovereignty and national security, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has stated, citing hostile information operations designed to confuse or play up difficult themes such as those involving race and religion.
Analysts stated that Fica was among the most complete and extensive tools they had seen for this purpose, and that it represented a modernization of Singapore's capabilities to combat contemporary foreign intervention strategies.
However, two non-governmental organizations that would be considered "politically significant persons" under Fica have criticized the bill, stating that it demonstrates the government's lack of faith in its citizens and questioning whether their interactions with foreign counterparts will be prohibited.
Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam refuted concerns that the law will restrict foreign cooperation, stating that the wording of Fica must be broad enough to encompass normal-appearing actions, since foreign agencies may use "legitimate-looking fronts" to achieve their objectives.
Several Workers' Party (WP) representatives elaborated on the opposition's fundamental demand for judicial review of the new legislation.
Mr. Shanmugam said that while separation of powers and the rule of law are vital concepts, the government must "examine what works."
The measure was enacted with 75 in favor, 11 against, and two abstentions. Mr. Leong and all ten WP MPs voted against.
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