Singapore warns ‘action will be taken’ against citizens fighting for foreign causes

South China Morning Post · Feb 24, 2026 · Collected from RSS

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Action will be taken against any Singaporean who fights overseas in foreign causes, Coordinating Minister for National Security K Shanmugam has said, emphasising the importance of racial and religious harmony in maintaining peace in Singapore.He also noted the critical role of religious and community leaders who help set the tone for harmony in Singapore.Shanmugam, who is also Minister for Home Affairs, was speaking at a fast-breaking session co-organised by Khadijah Mosque and the Religious Rehabilitation Group on Monday.“We meet at a time of great stress around the world, and parts of this region. Both political stress as well as economic stress. And that is causing tremendous tensions in many societies, violence in many places, wars between countries.“In the middle of all of this, we remain a small oasis of peace,” he said, attributing this to Singapore’s focus on a number of fundamentals, including racial and religious harmony.“Rays of Memory” light beams illuminate the graves of fallen Ukrainian soldiers during a joint prayer and candlelight vigil at Lychakiv Military Cemetery in Lviv on Monday. Photo: EPA“It is not the only thing that maintains the peace, but it is a key aspect of maintaining the peace. Because we get that wrong, a lot of things can go wrong. So whatever happens externally, in the world, we try not to bring those problems in here.”