Kenneth Tiong challenges Shanmugam in Parliament: Will PAP reject support from Critical Spectator?

14 October 2025 Parliament sitting saw a heated exchange as Coordinating Minister for National Security K Shanmugam criticised the Workers’ Party over its stance on foreign interference. During the exchange, The Workers’ Party MP Kenneth Tiong pressed the minister on whether the PAP would categorically reject support from Critical Spectator, a media platform run by Polish national Michael Petraeus. Tiong cited the platform’s “racially charged commentary”, including claims that the Workers’ Party had “abandoned Muslim voters”. Shanmugam replied that foreign commentary alone does not constitute interference unless it seeks to influence elections or political outcomes, stressing that the law was being misunderstood. He noted that foreigners, including major international publications, regularly comment on Singaporean affairs. Tiong responded that the PAP had declined to reject Petraeus’s actions, prompting Shanmugam to caution him “not to put words in my mouth.” #singapore #sgparliament #workerspartysg #KennethTiong #MichaelPetraeus #foreigninterference