Sammy Obeid - Censorship Allegations

Comedian Sammy Obeid alleges censorship as shows cancelled; IMDA cites late licence application

IMDA said it had not requested any edits to be made to the script and that the licence was rejected because it was submitted late.

Stand-up comedian Sammy Obeid and a screenshot of his Instagram post on Aug 27, 2025, about his event's cancellation.
(File photos: Mr Sammy Obeid's website and Instagram/@sammyobeid)

28 Aug 2025

SINGAPORE: The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) said on Thursday (Aug 28) that several allegations by a comedian about his Singapore shows’ cancellation were "inaccurate".

The authority said the licence application for Mr Sammy Obeid's shows on Sunday was rejected because it was submitted late.

Mr Obeid had posted on Instagram on Wednesday, claiming that his script was rejected twice and he was told to remove references to the conflict in Gaza, among other things.

By Thursday evening, the post had been reshared more than 800 times and garnered over 1,600 comments.

The stand-up comedian said he was aware that his set, which is “almost entirely focused on the ongoing genocide in Gaza”, was unlikely to be approved by Singapore’s authorities.

“I was willing to tone down my material so that there would be a show for the people,” said Mr Obeid, adding that he eventually submitted a “heavily censored script”.

However, the script was rejected and he was told to remove all mentions of Palestine and Israel, claimed Mr Obeid. A second script with the edits and several “subtle cryptic messages” was also rejected, he added.

IMDA said on Thursday that it had not requested any edits to be made to the script.

"At no time, were 'multiple edits' requested. We are also not aware of past applications for Mr Obeid to perform in Singapore and discussions on scripts," it added.

The authority said it had received the application for Mr Obeid’s shows close to midnight on Aug 15, which is about 10 working days before the shows on Aug 31.

“Arts Entertainment Licence applications are required to be submitted at least 40 working days before the event, to allow sufficient time for applications to be processed or advisories to be included in publicity materials and advertisements,” it added.

Born in Oakland, California, Mr Obeid described himself on his website as a Lebanese-Palestinian-Syrian-Italian-American.

He had planned to perform twice at Victoria Theatre on Sunday and said in his post that 1,001 people had been expected at the shows.

ALLEGATIONS

Mr Obeid alleged that his first script was rejected after “weeks and weeks” of waiting. According to the comedian, he had "erred on the side of caution" and only referenced Palestine a few times while mentioning Israel once.

Mr Obeid said he was told to remove all mentions of Palestine and Israel, as well as two calls to action. The comedian said he “completely caved” and made the edits so the shows could still happen.

According to him, the second script was also rejected, and portions that included his notes for engaging the audience were also flagged.

While he was willing to make the necessary edits, Mr Obeid claimed he was told there was insufficient time for another revision and resubmission.

He also alleged that the authorities expressed wariness about what he might end up saying during his performance. According to him, he was told five days before the show that a permit would not be issued.

In its response, IMDA said the local representative who submitted the event’s application was an experienced licence applicant and aware of the authority's submission timelines.

“The local representative was informed on Aug 19 via email that the late application cannot be processed,” it said.

“This was reiterated to her on Aug 25 through a call and in writing. We have no information on when the decision was conveyed by the local representative to Mr Obeid.”

IMDA also said this was the local representative’s fourth late application since May 2024.

In his post, Mr Obeid apologised and said: "At the very least, I will be contacting everyone about refunds and what I can offer at this point."

Source: CNA/rl(mi)

US comedian Sammy Obeid issued Singapore correction order over claims he was told to edit his script

"The cancellation had nothing to do with content," said the Singapore government.

US comedian Sammy Obeid claimed that his script for his Singapore show was rejected twice and he was told to remove references to the conflict in Gaza, among other things. (Photo: Facebook/Sammy Obeid)

01 Sep 2025 

SINGAPORE: US comedian Sammy Obeid has been directed by the Singapore government to publish correction notices on his social media posts that alleged censorship as a factor in his cancelled show here.

The correction order was issued on Monday (Sep 1) under Singapore's Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA).

Mr Obeid claimed on Aug 27 that his script was rejected twice and he was told to remove references to the conflict in Gaza, among other things.

The Singapore authority in charge - the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) - said on Aug 28 that it had not requested any edits to the script. His show application was rejected because it was submitted 10 days before the show, which was 30 days later than required.

“Mr Obeid’s account of protracted back-and-forth interactions with the government is inaccurate,” the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) said on Monday.

“In his posts, he claims that the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) requested edits, told him to ‘completely remove’ portions of his script, and said it ‘didn’t like’ other sections.”

None of these things happened, the ministry said, adding: "The cancellation had nothing to do with content."

Born in Oakland, California, Mr Obeid described himself on his website as a Lebanese-Palestinian-Syrian-Italian-American.

He had planned to perform twice at Victoria Theatre on Aug 31 and said in his post that 1,001 people had been expected at the shows.


PHONE RECORDING

On Sunday, Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong said the authorities were considering "further steps" about Mr Obeid's "fictional account".

Following Mr Tong's comments, Mr Obeid denied lying.

He posted two videos on social media of a phone call between himself and an unidentified person. In the second video, the person, speaking in what appeared to be a Singaporean accent, told Mr Obeid to "take out ... anything that has to do with Palestine and Israel".

MDDI said on Monday that it was aware of allegations based on the recording of a private conversation.

"IMDA was not part of that discussion," the ministry said.

“It never had any discussions - directly or indirectly - with Mr Obeid or his representatives about his script and certainly never asked for any edits or removals."

Under the POFMA correction direction, Mr Obeid will be required to carry correction notices alongside his Facebook, Instagram, and X posts published on Aug 27.

He will not be required to remove his posts.

"These notices will provide readers with a link to the government’s clarification so they can read both versions and draw their own conclusions," said MDDI.

Under Singapore law, anyone who fails to comply with a correction order faces a maximum fine of S$20,000 (US$15,600), or a jail term of up to 12 months, or both.

[But of course, the person will need to be in Singapore for those penalties to be imposed. If Obeid intends to ever perform or even visit Singapore, he will need to comply with the POFMA order. However, if he wants to have a viable excuse to NEVER perform (or visit) Singapore, he can defy the order, and then explain that he cannot enter Singapore as he would be liable to certain penalties due to his defiance of the POFMA directive. Brilliantly played!]

If the order is ignored, the government can also direct internet providers to block access to the online content in Singapore.

[Note: only in Singapore.]

TIMELINE

MDDI also provided a timeline of events:

Jul 8: Mr Obeid’s assistant contacted IMDA about application timelines and was informed on Jul 9 that applications must be submitted 40 working days in advance via a local representative.

Aug 15: A formal Arts Entertainment Licence application was submitted by his local representative (“the applicant”) — just 10 working days before the planned Aug 31 show.

Aug 19: IMDA informed the applicant that the application was too late to process.

Aug 20: The applicant appealed for reconsideration.

Aug 25: IMDA reiterated that the application could not be processed as it had been submitted 30 working days late.

MDDI said that the false claims by Mr Obeid risk causing “serious misunderstanding”, and they “erode public trust in IMDA’s licensing role”.

They also risk inflaming public sentiment on an already sensitive issue, said MDDI.

“We know many Singaporeans care deeply about Gaza. We want to reassure everyone that this case was not about silencing anyone’s voice. Singaporeans will always have channels to express their views reasonably and constructively on Gaza and other important issues,” it added.

Source: CNA/mi(gs)