Singapore Takes Bold Step to Defend Multicultural Society

COLOMBO (News 1st); Singapore's legal framework for safeguarding racial harmony is set to undergo its most significant transformation in decades, with the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Act 2025 and the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Act 2025 scheduled to come into force on 15 September 2026.

The legislation, which was passed by Parliament on 4 February 2025, consolidates and strengthens Singapore's laws aimed at preserving racial harmony and protecting its multicultural society.

The Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs issued the following on Monday (14):

Establishment of the Presidential Council for Racial and Religious Harmony

Under the Act, a new Presidential Council for Racial and Religious Harmony (“PCRRH”) will be established, replacing the Presidential Council for Religious Harmony. The PCRRH will begin its inaugural three-year term on 15 September 2026. It will comprise representatives from Singapore's major racial and religious communities, and persons who have distinguished themselves in public service or community relations in Singapore. The PCRRH will:

(a) Consider and make recommendations to the President on Restraining Orders (“ROs”) made under the Act, or the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act 1990 (“MRHA”); and

(b) Consider and report to the Minister or Parliament on matters affecting the maintenance of racial or religious harmony in Singapore, that are referred to it by the Minister or Parliament.

Along with the establishment of the PCRRH, corresponding constitutional amendments will also come into effect to confer on the President the discretion to refuse to make an appointment to the PCRRH if the President does not concur with the Presidential Council for Minority Rights’ advice.

Introduction of Restraining Orders Against Content Prejudicial to Racial Harmony

The Act empowers the Minister for Home Affairs to make ROs against persons involved in the communication, production or distribution of content that prejudices the maintenance of racial harmony in Singapore (“racial content ROs”). This is similar to the RO regime in the MRHA.

The RO takes immediate effect once a copy of the order is given to the person in question and failure to comply with the RO is an offence. These powers allow the Government to take swift and pre-emptive action against offensive content that can spread rapidly and may cause irreparable harm to social cohesion.

Constitutional amendments will confer on the President the discretion to confirm, cancel, or vary an RO if the PCRRH's recommendation and the Cabinet's advice differ.

Porting over and Updating of Existing Race-Related Offences

Sections 298 and 298A of the Penal Code 1871 on offences relating to race will be repealed. These offences will be superseded (with updates) by sections 39 and 40 of the Act, to cover conduct that:

(a) Incite feelings of enmity, hatred, ill-will or hostility against, or contempt for or ridicule of, a racial group;

(b) Insult, vilify, denigrate, threaten or abuse another person on the basis of race; and

(c) Urge violence on the basis of race, or against a racial group.

The Act also introduces defences for these offences that are already present in the MRHA. These include defences for private or domestic conduct, as well as for pointing out matters in good faith for the purpose of bringing about a removal of those matters.

Introduction of the Community Remedial Initiative for Race-Related Offences

The Act introduces the Community Remedial Initiative (“CRI”) which is a programme established by the Minister of Home Affairs for a person to take remedial action for engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the maintenance of racial harmony in Singapore. In deciding whether to institute proceedings again at a person for an offence under Part 6 of the Act, the Public Prosecutor may consider whether the person has satisfactorily completed the programme. This gives an alleged offender the opportunity to learn from and make amends for his racist conduct, thereby soothing communal tensions and repairing ties between the communities.

The CRI will not be offered for egregious cases, such as those involving incitement of violence or conduct that severely undermines social cohesion. These cases will continue to be considered for criminal prosecution. This sends the right signal that such conduct will not be tolerated.

Introduction of Safeguards against Foreign Influence for Race-Based Entities

The Act introduces safeguards against foreign influence for designated race-based entities. The safeguards are similar to those currently applied to religious groups under the MRHA, and include requirements to disclose foreign and anonymous donations, foreign affiliations and leadership composition, as well as requirements to comply with leadership restrictions. MHA will engage the race-based entities before they are designated. MHA will also guide designated entities on the reporting requirements, ahead of their first reporting obligation in April 2028.

The Minister for Home Affairs will also be able to impose stepped-up measures against specific race-based entities, through the issuance of foreign influence ROs, to pre-empt, prevent, or reduce foreign influence that may undermine racial harmony and present a threat to public peace and public order in Singapore. These foreign influence ROs are subject to the same safeguards as racial content ROs.

The Act strengthens Singapore's ability to preserve racial harmony, respond effectively to emerging threats, and safeguard our multicultural society against malicious foreign influence. Together with ongoing efforts to promote mutual understanding and trust among communities, the Act will help ensure that Singapore remains a cohesive and harmonious multiracial society.