• Singapore blocks access to foreign social media posts in response to election interference.
• Opposition parties reject foreign influence, emphasizing local representation.
• Prime Minister Wong warns against mixing religion with politics during elections.
• Foreign individuals express concerns over their posts being taken down.
• The election is set for May 3, under newly implemented regulations.

Singapore has implemented strict regulations ahead of the General Election on May 3, blocking access to Facebook posts made by three foreign individuals deemed to interfere with domestic voting and promote divisive themes of race and religion. The Infocomm Media Development Authority identified these posts as “intended to promote or prejudice the electoral success or standing of a political party or candidate,” leading to the takedown directive issued to Meta, Facebook's parent company, which was confirmed by the Elections Department and Ministry of Home Affairs. This marks the first election under the social media rules established by the government in 2023, according to channelnewsasia and scmp.

Among the individuals involved are Iskandar Abdul Samad, national treasurer of the Islamist party Parti Islam Se-Malaysia; Mohamed Sukri Omar, the party’s youth chief; and Zulfikar bin Mohamad Shariff, an Australian who renounced his Singapore citizenship in 2020. Their posts allegedly encouraged voters to act along racial and religious lines, specifically suggesting support for certain candidates based on these identities. Authorities flagged such discourse as harmful to Singapore's political integrity and prompted a response against it, as reported by reuters and channelnewsasia.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasized the necessity for Singaporeans to control their political representation themselves. During a press conference, he stated that foreigners urging voting along religious lines have “crossed the line.” Mr. Wong welcomed the opposition parties' consensus against foreign interference, highlighting that such actions compromise national interest and stability in a multiracial society. "Singapore's politics must be for Singaporeans alone to decide," he asserted, according to channelnewsasia and reuters.

In response to the government's actions, Zulfikar criticized the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), claiming they were fearful and desperate to suppress dissenting voices from abroad. He expressed that his intentions were to advocate for the marginalized Malay-Muslim community in Singapore rather than interfere with electoral processes. Meanwhile, Sukri backed this sentiment, stating that his posts were motivated by communal concern rather than political intrusion, as per the reports by channelnewsasia and scmp.

Furthermore, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Masagos Zulkifli, remarked on the dangerous implications foreign interference has on Singapore’s established trust and harmony among communities. He reiterated that race and religion should never be utilized as political tools, highlighting the importance of maintaining mutual respect and cohesion. His statements were made in line with the ongoing discussions about the impacts of external influences on local elections and the necessity for Singaporeans' voices to direct political discourse. This stance aligns with broader concerns addressed by various political leaders in light of the upcoming election, according to channelnewsasia, scmp, and reuters.