SINGAPORE — Calling on Singaporeans to be vigilant against fake news, former President Tony Tan Keng Yam also warned against “insidious information campaigns” mounted by parties including foreign countries that seek to manipulate and divide Singaporeans.

In his 30-minute speech at the annual S Rajaratnam lecture on Tuesday (Nov 28), Dr Tan said the digital age has allowed countries to use misinformation to undermine the will and resolve of other nations that they have differences with.

Singapore is not immune to this threat, which has the potential to affect both its foreign and domestic policies.

Nations both big and small are using social media to manipulate countries they have differences with, Dr Tan noted. The techniques might be “cloaked in newfangled terms such as fake news and election campaigns”, but the ultimate goal is to “divide a country against itself”.

Dr Tan did not refer to specific examples, but Russia’s alleged attempts to disrupt elections in the United States, France and Germany have been widely reported.

The United States government, for instance, is currently investigating if Russia did interfere in its 2016 presidential election, with the objective of discrediting former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

“With the free flow of information and dis-information across geographical barriers, the onus is on everyone to exercise judgment and not take information at face value,” Dr Tan told the 800-strong audience at Shangri-La Hotel.

“So, the next time you read a foreign policy commentary or op-ed, ask yourself who stands to benefit from the proposed course of action.”

It is especially important not to allow misinformation and foreign influences to divide Singapore along racial and religious fault lines, as has been the case in other countries, added Dr Tan.

“It is imperative that Singapore remains vigilant against those who seek to mount insidious information campaigns to influence segments of our population for their own ends,” he said.

“Singapore cannot tolerate attempts by foreign countries or entities to manipulate people’s sentiments. Singapore’s future is for Singaporeans to decide.”

Singaporeans need to be well-informed so that they can distinguish between real and fake news, and understand the trade-offs in policies adopted by the government.

“Social reserves” are the “ties that bind us together as one people”, he said.

“In the same way that we have built up our financial reserves, we should build up our social reserves as an investment for the future because these social reserves will come in handy during difficult times,” he said.