On April 26, 2025, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong called on all political parties to firmly reject identity politics and to keep race and religion separate from Singapore’s political sphere. Speaking at a press conference just a week before the General Election on May 3, he emphasised that these principles are crucial to maintaining the nation’s unity and social harmony.
PM Wong explained that mixing politics with religion fractures the common space that Singaporeans of all backgrounds share. He warned that once elections become contests of faith, all communities would suffer, and external forces could exploit these divisions for their own gain. He called on political parties to exercise restraint and to avoid campaigning along racial or religious lines. Stressing that the matter was not partisan, PM Wong said that all Singaporeans, regardless of political preference, must protect the social fabric of the country.
The call came after the Government blocked access to several Facebook posts by two Malaysian politicians and a former Internal Security Act detainee, who had sought to interfere in the election. These posts, which spotlighted opposition candidates including Faisal Manap from the Workers' Party, were widely circulated within the Singaporean community. The individuals involved included Iskandar Abdul Samad, Mohamed Sukri Omar, and Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff, now an Australian citizen.
Responding to these events, Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh stated that his party could not succeed if it resorted to playing the race and religion card. PM Wong welcomed this sentiment and noted a broad consensus among political parties to reject foreign interference. However, he urged parties to go further by categorically rejecting any external endorsements, regardless of whether they seem supportive.
PM Wong underscored that the outcome of Singapore’s elections must be determined solely by Singaporeans. Foreigners, he said, cross the line if they attempt to sway election outcomes, especially by invoking race or religion. He added that it is critical to maintain a united front on key national issues, such as foreign policy, and that identity politics would only serve to sow division.
PM Wong also cautioned that when one group asserts its identity aggressively, others would inevitably push back, leading to growing hostilities. Drawing examples from other countries, he said identity-driven politics often fuels resentment, resulting in an unhappy society where every issue is seen through the lens of race or religion.
Beyond foreign influence, PM Wong noted that there were also local efforts trying to introduce religious agendas into the election. He cited posts by Singaporean activists encouraging Muslim voters to support candidates who would advance specific religious causes. He made it clear that whether such messages came from Muslims, Christians, Hindus, or Buddhists, the Government would firmly reject them.
Addressing concerns about possible electoral backlash, PM Wong said that the Government’s actions were not driven by fears of vote swings but by the imperative to protect Singapore’s social cohesion. He stressed that once trust is broken and societal fault lines deepen, it becomes extremely difficult to repair them.
When asked about other foreign entities, such as the Facebook page Critical Spectator run by Polish national Michael Petraeus, PM Wong reiterated that Singapore’s rules are clear. Foreigners must not attempt to influence Singapore’s elections, especially on matters of race and religion. The authorities, he said, will continue to monitor the situation and take action if necessary.
PM Wong closed his remarks by reaffirming that Singaporeans alone must decide the future of their country, and it is crucial for all to guard against forces that threaten to divide the nation.
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