Formal Recourse and Review Avenues for Individuals Barred Entry to Singapore Under FICA

16 Mr Jackson Lam asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act 2021 or any other related powers have been invoked against individuals linked to Malaysian civil society organisations in the past two years; (b) what criteria does the Ministry apply to distinguish lawful commentary on Singapore policies from proscribed political interference; and (c) whether individuals barred entry have any formal avenue for recourse or review.

Mr K Shanmugam: We have not exercised powers under the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA) against individuals linked to Malaysian civil society organisations. When they seek to interfere, we have stopped them from coming into Singapore. But FICA can be used as necessary.

The Ministry of Home Affairs looks at various considerations when assessing if content should be considered normal political commentary or whether it amounts to unacceptable political interference. This includes the source and nature of the content, whether it is an established media, the degree of association the person has with Singapore, whether the foreign actor is masquerading as a local writer, whether he/she is acting on behalf of someone with the intent to cause damage to Singapore, and other factors. This assessment is fact-dependent and done on a case-by-case basis.

Individuals barred from entry into Singapore can appeal to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.