Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act 1990 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 6 · Offences*
17J. Offence relating to nationality of governing body members, etc.
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A religious group commits an offence if —
religious group
“religious group” includes —(a)any company or other body corporate incorporated under the Companies Act 1967 or any other written law for the purpose of promoting any religion, religious worship or dealing with religious affairs or practising, conducting, teaching or propagating any religious belief; and(b)any body of persons, whether or not registered as a society under the Societies Act 1966, whose object is the promotion of any religion, religious worship or the practice, conduct, teaching or propagating of any religious belief.
by the end of the period specified in section 16D(8), the religious group fails to give the notice required under section 16D(8); and
the religious group permits an individual who is not a citizen of Singapore and not a Singapore permanent resident to act as a responsible officer of the religious group in contravention of section 16D(2).
A religious group commits an offence if —
by the end of the period specified in section 16E(8), the religious group fails to give the notice required under section 16E(8); and
the religious group permits half or more than half of the total number of seats in its governing body to be occupied or held by individuals who are not citizens of Singapore in contravention of section 16E(2).
A religious group commits an offence if the religious group fails to comply with a direction under section 16D(3) or 16E(3).
A religious group who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) or (2) shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding $500 for every day or part of a day during which the offence continues after conviction.
A religious group who is guilty of an offence under subsection (2A) shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding $1,000 for every day or part of a day during which the offence continues after conviction.
In proceedings for an offence under subsection (1) or (2) in relation to a requirement to give a notice under section 16D(8) or 16E(8), it is a defence to the charge for the accused to prove, on a balance of probabilities, that the accused took all reasonable steps, and exercised all due diligence, to ensure that the requirement has been complied with.
In proceedings for an offence under subsection (2A) in relation to a direction under section 16D(3) or 16E(3), it is a defence to the charge for the accused to prove, on a balance of probabilities, that the accused took all reasonable steps, and exercised all due diligence, to ensure that the direction has been complied with.
An offence under subsection (1), (2) or (3) is a strict liability offence.