S'pore must boost defences as foreign interference tactics evolve: Sim Ann

The ultimate defence against such threats is an aware and discerning people, she says

- Andrew Wong Correspondent

As foreign interference tactics evolve and grow in sophistication, Singapore has to strengthen its defences against these threats, said Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Sim Ann.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will amend Singapore’s foreign interference law to strengthen the levers to address such operations, she added.

Joining the debate on the President’s Address on Sept 23, Ms Sim said the ubiquitous digital environment and advanced digital tools have “supercharged” the ability of foreign actors to mount hostile information campaigns at scale, with speed and precision.

“With a diverse population that is highly digitally connected, Singapore is an attractive and vulnerable target,” she added.

She cited how MHA had used the foreign interference law in July 2024 to block a network of accounts alleging that Singapore was in the pocket of a foreign actor that was behind the selection of the Republic’s fourth-generation leader.

The network could have been used to mount other hostile information campaigns against Singapore, Ms Sim noted.

It was linked to exiled Chinese businessman and convicted fraudster Guo Wengui.

The Government invoked the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (Fica) again in October 2024 to block 10 websites masquerading as local sites.

Ms Sim said traditional methods of interference have also continued, through local and influential proxies.

In 2024, the US arrested and charged a former analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency over allegedly acting as an agent for a foreign country.