IMDA blocks Facebook posts from Malaysian politicians ahead of general elections

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has identified foreign attempts to influence Singapore’s General Elections (GE) this year, with several online election advertisements (OEA) removed following a directive from the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).

Foreigners are prohibited from participating in any election activity, including publishing OEA, under the Parliamentary Elections Act (PEA). This violation was flagged as the political integrity of Singapore is reserved solely for its citizens, a sentiment echoed in a joint statement by MHA and the Elections Department (ELD).

The IMDA, acting as the assistant returning officer, issued corrective directions under Section 61N of the PEA to Meta, prompting the platform to block access to several Facebook posts published by foreigners during the election period. Iskandar Abdul Samad, the National Treasurer of Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), was among those whose posts were flagged, where he expressed support for a candidate in the GE.

Don't miss: GE2025: Are podcasts the new political battleground?

Zulfikar bin Mohamad Shariff, an Australian citizen who renounced his Singapore citizenship in 2020, also published a post accusing several Malay-Muslim Members of Parliament of failing to represent the interests of the Muslim community. He suggested that the local Muslim community did not need another Malay MP who did not align with their views. The post was further amplified by Mohamed Sukri Omar, PAS Selangor Youth Chief, who shared Zulfikar’s claims.

Zulfikar, previously detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in 2016 for promoting terrorism and radicalising individuals, was known for his pro-ISIS rhetoric. MHA stated that his posts, now removed, were aimed at influencing the electorate and undermining Singapore’s political harmony.

MHA and ELD also noted the threat such interference posed to the nation’s multi-racial and multi-religious fabric, urging citizens not to vote based on racial or religious grounds.

“We must not mix religion and politics. Singapore is a secular state. Our institutions serve all Singaporeans equally. Bringing religion into politics will undermine social cohesion and harmony, as we have seen in other countries with race- or religion-based politics," the authorities added.

In line with Singapore’s commitment to safeguarding racial and religious harmony, MHA and ELD said the government will continue to engage widely, including with religious groups, to hear their views and ensure that they are taken into account.   

"We urge all political parties and their candidates, as well as religious organisations, leaders and members of the public to do our part to safeguard the precious harmony we have in Singapore today," said the authorities. 

Last week, a wave of fake social media accounts emerged ahead of Singapore's GE, with checks from various publications found that at least 20 accounts on Facebook and Instagram were targeting political parties with misleading content.

In conversations with MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) stated that it will be looking into these online accounts and continue to monitor the online space for signs of foreign interference. The authority will also take action against content that violates Singapore’s laws.

"We urge the public to be discerning consumers of information," MDDI added. 

Join us this coming 21 May for #Content360, an extravaganza centered around three core thematic pillars: Challenging the norm; Conquering Media Fragmentation; and Unlocking Imagination. Immerse yourself in learning to curate content with creativity, critical thinking, and confidence with us at Content360!  

Related articles: 
Halimah Yacob files police report over deepfake criticising government      
TikTok SG launches Elections Centre ahead of GE2025    
IMDA: Social media platforms should do more to protect children from harmful content