Artists can express humanitarian concerns, but not undermine public order and security: Tan Kiat How

Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How clarified on Sep 10 that artists in Singapore can express humanitarian concerns about global conflicts, but their expression must not undermine the country's public order, security, or stability. He warned against using Singapore as a platform for political purposes, especially those related to overseas conflicts or political issues.

Tan emphasized that artists, both Singaporean and foreign, must comply with Singapore's laws and the conditions of their arts and entertainment licences when performing in the country.

When asked how authorities differentiate between political advocacy and humanitarian concerns, Tan explained that the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) considers the potential impact of a performance when evaluating licensing conditions. Under the Arts Entertainment Classification Code, content should not undermine public order, national security, or stability. Moreover, it should be sensitive to different racial and religious groups' concerns and expectations for maintaining racial and religious harmony.

Tan cited examples of performances that had been permitted, such as "To The Unforgotten," an event in May featuring a song, poem, and multimedia artwork about the Israel-Gaza conflict, which was classified R18. Another example was the 2024 stand-up comedy show "Namaste," which included a segment discussing the Israel-Gaza conflict and was classified Advisory 16.

Tan stressed that while the content itself is not prohibited, there are boundaries to prevent the content from stirring up public disorder or raising national security concerns.

The assessments are considered "very contextual," and Tan encouraged artists applying for Arts Entertainment Licences to engage with IMDA early in the process. This early engagement allows for clarity and guidance on approved content and areas of concern, ensuring a smooth application process.