Singapore bans Wild Rice’s Homepar for depicting drug abuse, undermining CNB

IMDA bans Wild Rice’s Homepar for violating anti-drug policy standards

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) of Singapore has officially banned a revised version of the theatre production Homepar, produced by the local company Wild Rice. The authority, in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), determined that the updated script undermines Singapore’s anti-drug policies and public trust in the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).

According to a joint statement released Friday (June 20), IMDA stated that Wild Rice submitted the revised script for the dramatised reading on June 5. Upon review, authorities deemed it to be in breach of the Arts Entertainment Classification Code (AECC), noting that the script had “substantially changed” from the original version submitted on April 21.

Also read: Jeffrey Siow addresses COE system, private-hire cars, ERP 2.0 and EV plans in Singapore

“The new material depicts and glamorises drug abuse and portrays an undercover CNB officer shielding abusers from detection,” IMDA said. “It undermines Singapore’s anti-drug policy, our drug rehabilitation regime, and public confidence in the CNB. Performances that undermine Singapore’s national interest are not permitted under the AECC.”

Wild Rice declines to revert to approved script, leading to disallowance

IMDA confirmed that the original script for Homepar had met the requirements for an R18 classification and was approved for staging. However, the theatre company did not revert to the approved version after being informed of the classification.

“However, Wild Rice has chosen not to revert to that version,” IMDA said. “Consequently, IMDA has disallowed the performance in its current form.”

The authority reiterated Singapore’s strict anti-drug stance and emphasized the importance of the AECC in protecting national interests. “Singapore’s firm stance against drugs remains unchanged, and we will continue to uphold the AECC to protect national interest,” IMDA stated.

Also read: Singapore warns of tariff cascade as worried Asia eyes Trump

According to the show’s synopsis on Wild Rice’s official website, Homepar, a term referencing house parties within the gay party scene, centers on a protagonist hosting a party as a means of coping with a breakup and exploring their evolving gender identity. Ivan Heng, a prominent actor and theatre director, is the founding artistic director of Wild Rice, which operates a 20,000 sq ft arts facility at Funan Mall.

Channel News Asia (CNA) has contacted Wild Rice for comment, but no official response has been issued as of publication.

Historical context of Singapore’s censorship in performing arts

This is not the first time Singapore authorities have disallowed a performance. In 2013, the former Media Development Authority banned a play titled Stoma by Agni Kootthu (Theatre of Fire) for what it called “sexually explicit, blasphemous and offensive references and language” deemed disrespectful to the Catholic and broader Christian communities.

Also read: Singapore dissolves parliament, paving the way for general elections

Singapore’s IMDA has banned the theatre production Homepar by Wild Rice, citing depictions of drug abuse and an undercover CNB officer shielding drug users. Authorities say the revised script violates the Arts Entertainment Classification Code and undermines anti-drug policies and public confidence in the Central Narcotics Bureau

Singapore bans Wild Rice’s Homepar for depicting drug abuse, undermining CNB


In 2016, IMDA also denied classification to two film screenings scheduled at a festival due to what it described as “excessive nudity,” further reinforcing the government’s ongoing control over media content considered inconsistent with national values.