section_path: Campaign/Foreign interference
section_name: Foreign interference
paragraph_text: Foreign interference
  
  On 25 April, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) ordered Meta Platforms to restrict Singaporeans' access to social media posts by foreign nationals it considered as foreign interference in the election. Among those accused of illegal campaigning were Malaysians Iskandar Abdul Samad, national treasurer of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS); Mohamed Sukri Omar, the PAS youth chief in Selangor; and Zulfikar bin Mohamad Shariff, an Australian citizen who renounced his Singapore citizenship in 2020. Iskandar had expressed support for WP MP Faisal Manap, while Sukri reposted a post by Zulfikar criticising Malay - Muslim MPs for failing to represent Muslim interests. Senior minister of state Zaqy Mohamad acknowleged that it might be a norm to mix religion with politics in other countries, but warned this could be disruptive if Singaporeans voted along religious lines. However, Iskandar denied the accusations that he was attempting to influence the election and "slammed" the attempt to link PAS to the WP. He stated that the post was "aimed at his predominantly Malay Muslim audience in Malaysia" rather than an "audience in Singapore". During a PAP walkabout in Tampines GRC on 29 April, Lee Hsien Loong said that race and religion should not be mixed with politics.
  
  In addition, a Singaporean Islamic religious teacher based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Noor Deros, claimed that WP "had agreed to his political demands" after meeting with some of WP's Malay candidates. Pritam Singh denied this, adding that while WP has no control over foreigners supporting candidates, he pointed out that the party would be unsuccessful if they " play the race and religion card ". Other opposition parties, including the SDP, PSP and NSP, also stated their opposition to foreign interference, rejecting any foreign support. Deros denied trying to interfere in Singapore's politics and claimed to advocate on behalf of Singapore's "marginalised" Malay-Muslim community. Separately, one day after the restriction was imposed, RDU candidate Liyana Dhamirah lodged a police report for online harassment pertaining to "racist and sexist undertones".
  
  As of 29 April, around 5,000 comments posted by 900 fake Facebook accounts and bots spreading anti-PAP and anti-WP sentiments and targeting news coverage of foreign interference were found, and MDDI urged the public to remain discern in handling consumers of information. On 30 April, Jom – an online publication website – was blocked due to a violation of promoting unauthorised third-party paid online election advertising (OEA) and the use of forbidden articles and materials, according to MDDI.