Singapore tightens foreign-influence rules for racial harmony groups

New compliance rules governing how organisations that receive foreign money or maintain foreign ties must report their activities take effect in Singapore on 15 September 2026. The Maintenance of Racial Harmony (Measures against Foreign Influence) Regulations 2026 were made by the Minister for Home Affairs under section 47 of the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Act 2025 and published as S 600/2026 in the Government Gazette on 14 September 2026.

The Regulations, signed on 10 September 2026 by Tan Chye Hee, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, set out the operational detail of the Act’s regime for “designated entities” — organisations that receive foreign donations or hold foreign affiliations and are formally designated by the competent authority. They prescribe the forms, deadlines and procedures for reporting, the rules on designation and cancellation, leadership restrictions, stepped-up measures and the appeal process.

Reporting obligations

Designated entities must file three types of reports with the competent authority: a donations report covering foreign and anonymous donations, a foreign affiliations report, and a key management report on governing-body composition. The reporting period runs from the date of designation to 31 December of that year, and thereafter by calendar year.

• Donations of money under $10,000 in value need not be reported; non-monetary donations are exempt unless the entity is under a foreign influence restraining order.
• Donations and foreign affiliations reports are due on or before 1 April of the following year; reports for the period ending 31 December 2026 are due by 1 April 2028.
• An initial key management report must be filed within 60 days of designation, and subsequent reports within 30 days of any change to the governing body.
• All reports must be made on the prescribed forms, completed in English and submitted through the Ministry’s e-services portal.

Designation, leadership and stepped-up measures

Entities facing intended designation may make written representations, and designated entities may apply to cancel their designation, in both cases to the Registry of Foreign and Political Disclosures. The Regulations also prescribe the governing bodies and responsible officers for each entity type, from sole proprietorships and trusts to societies, trade unions and bodies corporate.

Where a governing body or responsible officer ceases to comply with the Act’s leadership restrictions, the entity must notify the competent authority within 30 days. Under stepped-up measures, a designated entity must return or dispose of donations of money, property or services, paying the competent authority a sum equivalent to the value where the donor cannot be identified or refuses the return; such payments go into the Consolidated Fund.

Offences and appeals

Failure to submit a report is a strict-liability offence carrying fines of up to $2,000, rising to $5,000 for failing to give a non-compliance notice. Knowingly submitting a false or misleading report attracts fines of up to $10,000, or $20,000 on a second or subsequent conviction. Appeals against removal directions are heard by the Minister, with a notice of appeal to be filed within 14 days.

The Regulations mark a significant new compliance regime for organisations in the racial harmony space, requiring them to track foreign donations and affiliations, maintain accurate governing-body records and meet strict filing deadlines. For affected entities, the practical burden of the new rules begins immediately, with the first reporting cycle for 2026 closing on 1 April 2028.

Source: Republic of Singapore Government Gazette, S 600/2026, 14 September 2026, Subsidiary Legislation Supplement (official reference: S 600/2026).