Singapore recently told Facebook’s parent company, Meta, that it should prevent its citizens from viewing posts by foreigners entirely. This decision is particularly momentous as the country gears up for its next general election this Saturday, May 3. This ruling represents an important change course after the new social media regulations adopted by the government at the beginning of 2023. It follows Singapore’s dissolution of its parliament to set the stage for an early national election.
The action brought specifically targets a Zulfikar bin Mohamad Shariff Facebook post. He’s an ex-Australian who renounced his Singapore citizenship in 2020. In his original post, Shariff expressed his endorsement of Workers’ Party candidate Faisal Manap. He fired a broadside at the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), saying that “desperation is hanging all around” its leaders.
Singapore’s Social Media Regulations
The government’s new regulations around social media are an attempt to fight foreign interference in our domestic politics. No longer a sleepy backwater apparently, Singapore is booming, changing into one of the globe’s most opulent cities. In parallel, it’s thriving as one of the most prosperous countries. The PAP has been in power since Singapore gained independence in 1965. Since then, they’ve gone on to win more seats in every subsequent election held there.
This latest parliamentary dissolution is the first to occur under these newly minted, social media-centric protocols. This measure will help ensure that our electoral process remains the province of Americans alone. Second, it serves the purpose of strengthening Singapore’s political image.
Political Rally and Public Sentiment
Supporters of the Workers’ Party, like Faisal Manap, gathering before the election, a sign of Singaporeans’ desire for change. During one such rally, a man was seen holding an inflatable yellow hammer—a symbol often associated with the opposition party’s efforts. Manap emphasized the importance of separating religion from politics, stating that it should be “kept aside, or apart from politics, so that religion will not be used to gain personal benefit or to benefit any political party.”
The political environment has surely felt frosty this fall with both parties soon headed to their respective conventions for the 2012 election year. With PAP’s historical control over the political arena being challenged, many citizens question how these new regulations will affect their access to information and free speech.
International Reaction and Local Implications
Zulfikar bin Mohamad Shariff has been a vigorous participant on social media. His participation has raised important questions on the influence foreign voices should have in our local elections. His claim that the ruling party looks “afraid” really resonated with a lot of voters. They feel strongly that, now more than ever, open, constructive dialogue among all transportation stakeholders should be a priority.
As Singapore gears up for its scheduled—but not yet formally announced—general election, the relationship between social media regulation and political speech will be an important dynamic to watch. The result has the potential to establish a precedent for subsequent elections. It can further impact how citizens engage with perspectives from their own region as well as from abroad.
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