Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam boldly declares the next pandemic is “inevitable” just as Bill Gates’ Foundation announces plans to establish an office in the island nation, raising serious questions about foreign influence over national health policy.
Key Takeaways
- President Tharman Shanmugaratnam warned that another pandemic is “inevitable” during the Philanthropy Asia Summit 2025, calling for increased global preparedness.
- The Bill Gates Foundation has announced plans to open an office in Singapore with support from Singapore’s Economic Development Board.
- Activist Iris Koh has launched a petition to suspend the Gates Foundation office, citing concerns about foreign influence on Singapore’s sovereignty and health policies.
- Recent amendments to Singapore’s Constitution and Infectious Diseases Act could allow the president to accept international roles and potentially criminalize vaccine refusal.
- WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was a featured speaker at the Summit, highlighting the network of global health influencers converging on Singapore.
Singapore President Declares Next Pandemic “Inevitable”
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has made the disturbing prediction that another global pandemic is not a matter of if, but when. Speaking at a high-level networking dinner during the Philanthropy Asia Summit 2025, Tharman stressed the need for international cooperation and substantial investment in pandemic prevention. The timing of this declaration has raised eyebrows, coming shortly after the announcement that the Bill Gates Foundation plans to establish a presence in Singapore with the backing of the country’s Economic Development Board.
“Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, a member of the World Economic Forum (WEF), believes that the next pandemic is a foregone conclusion,” said Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
Tharman, who maintains connections with the World Economic Forum, emphasized that the world must “reclaim lost ground and rebuild local healthcare systems” that were damaged during the COVID-19 pandemic. His call for increased global health investment comes as Singapore’s Health Minister Ong Ke Yung urges citizens to stay updated with COVID-19 vaccinations due to rising infection rates. This coordinated messaging suggests a renewed push for global health initiatives that skeptics worry may compromise national sovereignty.
Gates Foundation Expansion Sparks Sovereignty Concerns
The announcement that the Bill Gates Foundation will open an office in Singapore has triggered significant pushback from concerned citizens. Leading the opposition is Iris Koh, a prominent Singaporean vaccine skeptic, who has launched a petition calling for the suspension of the Gates Foundation’s plans until public concerns about transparency and independence can be properly addressed. Koh’s petition highlights the potentially problematic connections between Singaporean officials and global health organizations, suggesting a web of influence that could compromise national health sovereignty.
“This raises serious concerns about potential foreign influence in our elections, media, and national policy. The Gates Foundation is deeply involved in global health, vaccine funding, and media control. Its presence here—without transparency or public debate—could undermine our democracy, health safety, and constitutional independence. Singapore must not become a testing ground for foreign agendas. We demand a pause, a review, and full public consultation,” said Iris Koh.
The Gates Foundation has long been a subject of scrutiny for its outsized influence on global health policy. Critics argue that the foundation’s financial power allows it to shape health priorities worldwide, often without accountability to the citizens affected by these policies. The foundation’s planned expansion into Singapore, combined with the presence of WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the Philanthropy Asia Summit, paints a picture of global health organizations converging on Singapore as a strategic location for advancing their agendas.
Constitutional Changes Raise Red Flags
In a move that has received insufficient public attention, Singapore amended its Constitution in 2023 to allow the president to accept international appointments. This change, coupled with modifications to the Infectious Diseases Act that could potentially criminalize refusal to vaccinate when directed by the government, has created a perfect storm of concerns about foreign influence and individual rights. These legal changes appear to be paving the way for Singapore to more closely align with global health governance structures at the potential expense of national sovereignty.
“This is not about politics or personalities. It is about protecting Singapore’s sovereignty, reputation, and the health and safety of our people,” said Iris Koh.
The constitutional amendments, combined with the expansion of global health organizations’ presence in Singapore, suggest a coordinated effort to position the island nation as a laboratory for global health initiatives. President Tharman’s warning about an inevitable next pandemic serves as a convenient justification for these changes, priming the public to accept increased international involvement in domestic health policy. For conservatives concerned about national sovereignty and individual liberties, these developments represent a troubling trend toward globalist control of health decisions that should remain in the hands of citizens and their elected representatives.
