What is considered a “foreign affiliation” under the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act?

Under the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act (MRHA), the term “foreign affiliation” refers to an arrangement with a foreign principal where the religious group is accustomed to act in accordance with its instructions, or where the foreign principal exercises total or substantial control over the religious group’s activities.

A “foreign principal” refers to either an individual who is not a citizen of Singapore and is not a Singapore permanent resident, or an entity which:

(i) is constituted or organised under a law of a foreign country and is not registered in Singapore under any written law;

(ii) has its principal place of business in a foreign country, even if incorporated or registered under any written law; or

(iii) is the government of a foreign country or an authority of the government in a foreign country.

In general, foreign affiliation refers to foreign persons/organisations in a position of control or power over your religious group. Please visit https://eservices2.mha.gov.sg/rds/landing/mrha for more information.