Police in Singapore have identified five people over comments made online about the Nepal floods and about Singapore Airlines’ investment in Air India. They are still investigating the remarks.
Police said on Wednesday September 9, 2026 that reports had been received about some online comments made about both issues. The five people interviewed are aged between 29 and 66 years old. Authorities will continue to look for those responsible for the comments.
The probe follows a wave of racist and xenophobic remarks that appeared online after the deadly Nepal floods and as public debate raged over Singapore Airlines’ financial link to Air India. People of Indian origin were reportedly targeted and Singaporeans tied to the Nepal disaster too.
Police Take Serious View of Racially Offensive Comments
Singapore Police said they take the conduct seriously that wounds racial feelings or incites hostility and ill will between different races. They did not give further details on individual cases because investigations were still under way.
It follows Singapore Senior Minister and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam’s public rebuke of racist and xenophobic online comments on September 5. “Some remarks related to the Nepal disaster and SIA-Air India relationship are unacceptable and harmful to Singapore’s social harmony,” he said.
The minister said he had asked police to look into the comments. Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information also said social media platforms could be asked to remove posts that violated their guidelines.
Nepal Floods Triggered Online Controversy
The online debate started after flash floods in Nepal on August 26 killed hundreds of people. Nine Singaporeans were among those missing after the disaster so Singaporean authorities sent teams to Nepal for rescue and identification work.
The tragedy became a hot topic online as some comments allegedly used the disaster to make inflammatory statements against Indians and Singaporeans. Officials have said that rhetoric like this can damage Singapore’s multiracial social fabric.
Singapore has had strict laws and policies against material that threatens racial harmony for many years. The police investigation is part of the government’s broader effort to prevent online speech from turning into racial hostility.
Air India Investment Adds Another Dimension
The second issue is Singapore Airlines’ 25.1 per cent stake in Air India and recent discussions about additional funding for the Indian carrier.
Air India has asked for US$1.5 billion in fresh equity from its owners Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines after reporting losses. The funding request has drawn political and public scrutiny in Singapore over SIA’s involvement with the Indian airline.
SIA’s international investment strategy was defended by Singapore Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow who said that “the decision is with the board of SIA.” Singapore Airlines has also insisted that its investment in Air India is part of its long term international growth strategy.
Investigation Remains Ongoing
“Five people have been interviewed so far but the inquiry is not over yet. We will continue to identify those behind the comments online,” Singapore Police said in a statement.
Police have not identified who was interviewed or said whether charges will be filed. For now, the investigation is about who made the comments and if any laws were broken.
The case shows how governments struggle with online speech during sensitive international events. Singapore authorities are preaching racial harmony but are still investigating potentially inflammatory online activity.
