How can NGOs tackle taboo subjects like human rights in Singapore?

In September, Singapore passed a controversial law that grants authorities to order social media sites and internet providers to disclose information or block content that is deemed hostile. The government can also designate organisations or individuals as “politically significant”.  

The broad, vague scope of the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act, also known as FICA, has had a chilling effect on non-government organisations (NGOs) operating in the city-state, who charge that it hands arbitrary power to the Singapore governments to dish out punishment on those is deems as troublemakers. Penalties for breaking the rules include up to 14 years in prision and S$100,000 (US$74,200) in fines. 

FICA makes it increasingly hard to advocate for issues such as human rights or environmental protection safely. The rules of engagement for NGOs have now been left vague as terms such as “foreign interference” are broadly defined. What can be done to preserve the already-limited civic society space in Singapore, where it is increasingly difficult to campaign on Singapore-sensitive topics like race, gender, labour and the environment?