Singapore
Singapore exhibits mid-range performance with regard to Representation, Rights and Participation. It performs in the high-range in Rule of Law. It is among the top 25 per cent of countries with regard to several aspects of Rule of Law and Rights, but it is among the bottom 25 per cent in Freedom of the Press, Freedom of Association and Assembly and Local Democracy. Over the last five years, it has experienced no notable shifts in performance levels. Singapore is a high-income economy, focused on export-oriented economic policies. Manufacturing and service sectors are the country’s key drivers of economic growth.
Singapore was in the 19th century and was briefly occupied by Japan after its invasion of the Malay Peninsula in 1942. It gained independence in 1959. Lee Kuan Yew, leader of the People’s Action Party (PAP), dominated as prime minister and a member of the Cabinet for half a century, after rising to power in the 1950s. During his rule, he prioritized economic liberalisation over democratic freedoms. In 1963, Singapore, together with North Borneo and Sarawak, merged with the Federation of Malaya to form Malaysia (all were former British colonies). Soon thereafter, however, a spate of racial violence broke out, sparked by the imbalanced Malay-Chinese population in both countries. Singapore was expelled in 1965.
Today, Singapore is home to a diverse society. The racial categorization of the majority Chinese and the minority Malays, Indians and Other Ethnicities (CMIO) stem from British colonization and have informed social and education policies built on the notion of multiculturalism. Minority representation in electoral politics was mandated by a 1988 constitutional amendment. Liberal immigration policies have resulted in a significant population of migrants in both high and low paying jobs. Over the last few years, a fault line has emerged between newer immigrants and more established groups, with the latter expressing ‘anti-immigrant’ sentiment. At the same time, the opposition has recently pushed for measures to help low-income citizens and to hire locals over foreigners.
Singapore does not hold fully competitive elections. The PAP, which has maintained power since 1959, maintains an extensive hold over state institutions despite the constitutionally guaranteed system of separation of powers. It has the power to manipulate information, drive specific narratives and perpetuate its ideologies in the public sphere. Thus, freedom of expression and assembly, media freedom, human rights defenders and the treatment of migrants are some of the most concerning issues. Freedom of expression has been curtailed due to the passing of laws (POFMA 2019; FICA 2021), which in both theory and practice violate human rights standards of free speech. Singapore ranks in the top 25 per cent for Absence of Corruption, yet recent corruption investigations have challenged the ruling party's and city-state’s reputation for being corruption-free.
Singapore ranks highly in gender equality and parity. The country has institutionalised the protection and advancement of women, with, for example, its Women’s Charter (1961). However, gender discrimination and traditional gender roles are still prevalent. Furthermore, while consensual same-sex sexual acts were decriminalised in 2023, Singapore still lacks legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Looking ahead, it will be important to watch the effects and succession process following Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loongoldest son of Singapore’s founder) leadership handover to Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in May 2024, which could significantly shift what has been the status quo since independence. In this context, it will be important to watch elections and the opposition, particularly since the last 2020 election saw PAP’s worst-ever parliamentary performance. The government’s crackdown on corruption, speech, and media may impact support for the opposition, with effects on Freedom of the Press, Freedom of Expression, Absence of Corruption and Representation broadly.
Last Updated: June 2024
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
October 2024
Former minister sentenced in rare landmark corruption case
On 3 October, former Transport Minister and People’s Action Party (PAP) member S. Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months in prison for obstructing justice and accepting more than SDG 403,000 (approximately USD 311,882) worth of gifts. Iswaran’s sentencing follows a year-long investigation linked to dealings involving billionaire property businessman Ong Ben Sen. This case marks the first trial of a political figure in Singapore in nearly 50 years. Justice Vincent Hoong of Singapore’s High Court underscored that Iswaran’s crimes represented an abuse of power that undermined public trust in government institutions. Legal experts note that the sentencing demonstrates the court’s intolerance of corrupt conduct.
Sources: International IDEA, Strait Times, BBC News, The New York Times
April 2024
Defendants sentenced in largest-ever money laundering scandal
In April, Singapore began sentencing five out of ten foreign nationals accused of laundering over SGD 3 billion (approximately USD 2.2 billion) acquired from criminal activities overseas. The ten foreigners were apprehended during an island-wide raid in August 2023, during which their assets were seized or frozen. Political analysts have labelled the case as the country’s biggest-ever money laundering incident, challenging Singapore’s corruption-free reputation. The case ensnared numerous banks, property agents and precious metal traders, prompting authorities to establish an inter-ministerial panel tasked with reviewing anti-money laundering protocols and investigating any potential complicity of financial institutions. Legal proceedings against the remaining defendants are ongoing.
Sources: BBC News, Asia Financial, The Strait Times, Nikkei Asia
February 2024
Singapore enacts indefinite detention and expands police powers
On 5 February, Singapore’s parliament passed the Sentence for Enhanced Public Protection (SEPP) law, allowing for the indefinite detention of “dangerous offenders” beyond their completed sentences. The SEPP law applies to individuals above 21 years of age convicted of serious crimes like rape and homicide. Offenders will now require the approval of the Home Affairs Minister to determine if they are no longer a threat to the public in order to be released. Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said the decision to impose a normal versus SEPP sentence lies with the court in which the person is first convicted, with a review board consisting of retired judges and psychologists to aid in assessing each case at a later point. The law was passed with broad support from parliament; however, rights experts have raised concerns about the law violating due process rights and the potential for over-detention. Simultaneously, parliament passed the Criminal Procedures (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill on 5 February, granting police officers more powers to conduct searches without a warrant as well as force suspects to undergo a forensic medical examination, if relevant.
Sources: Reuters, The Strait Times, Jurist, Channel News Asia
January 2024
Minister charged in rare corruption case
On 18 January, Singapore’s Transport Minister S. Iswaran resigned as a minister and member of the People’s Action Party (PAP) after being charged with 27 offences related to corruption, obstruction of justice and taking bribes. The charges follow a year-long investigation led by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), which alleged that Iswaran received bribes worth more than hundreds of thousands of dollars from billionaire property tycoon Ong Beng Seng – who is also under investigation. Iswaran is the first sitting minister in Singapore to be charged with corruption in decades, as the country is rarely affected by graft scandals involving political leaders. Iswaran rejects the allegations and maintains his innocence amid the ongoing case.
Sources: The Straits Times (1), CNN, Channel News Asia, New York Times, The Straits Time2 (2), CPIB
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