Parliament to Discuss Pritam Singh’s Conviction and Response

Pritam Singh, the leader of Singapore’s Workers’ Party (WP), faces scrutiny following his conviction for lying to a parliamentary committee. Indranee Rajah, the Leader of the House, emphasized the need for Parliament to consider an “appropriate response” to Singh’s actions during a media statement on December 17, 2023. She described lying under oath as a grave issue, highlighting that Singapore must maintain high standards of integrity among its leaders.

Rajah remarked, “In some countries, leaders who have lied, cheated or flagrantly broken the law still escape any legal or political consequences. We cannot accept such standards in Singapore.” Her comments reflect the seriousness of Singh’s situation, which she deemed “disturbing.” The Leader of the House, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Changi GRC and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, insisted that all Members of Parliament have a duty to uphold the rule of law.

Singh’s conviction arose from a case involving former MP Raeesah Khan, who had lied about accompanying a rape survivor to file a police report. In November 2021, Khan admitted to lying and was subsequently investigated. Singh testified before the Committee of Privileges in December 2021, asserting that he wanted Khan to clarify her statements.

In February 2024, Singh faced two charges for false testimony, resulting in a total fine of S$14,000 (approximately US$10,700). Despite the conviction, he remains a Member of Parliament for Aljunied GRC since the fine did not reach the threshold for disqualification.

Parliament’s Duty to Address Singh’s Conviction

Rajah’s statement indicates that the matter will be discussed in the January parliamentary sitting. She underscored the necessity for Parliament to acknowledge Singh’s actions and the implications of his conviction. “Whatever course of action the Workers’ Party may take, it is necessary for Parliament to take notice of Mr. Singh’s actions and convictions,” she said.

The Leader of the House highlighted internal disciplinary issues within the WP, particularly regarding Khan and the party’s handling of her misconduct. “This was a travesty, given that the three of them already knew about the lie months earlier,” Rajah stated, referring to Singh’s formation of a disciplinary panel to investigate Khan after she confessed.

She emphasized that it is up to the WP to determine how to proceed following the court’s judgment and Singh’s acceptance of it. The WP has been contacted for comments regarding the situation.

Details on the Case and Its Fallout

The timeline of events began in August 2021 when Khan, then a WP member and MP for Sengkang GRC, lied during a parliamentary session. She later reaffirmed her falsehood when questioned by Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam. Following her confession in November 2021, the Committee of Privileges investigated her conduct.

Singh’s conviction was confirmed on December 4, 2023, when an appeal against his conviction was dismissed. Although disappointed, Singh expressed respect for the court’s decision and acknowledged his responsibility for not addressing Khan’s lie sooner. He reaffirmed his commitment to serving Singaporeans and thanked them for their ongoing support.

In a statement following the court hearing, the WP indicated it is reviewing the court’s verdict and grounds for decision, asserting that its dedication to serving the people of Singapore remains strong despite facing challenges.

The unfolding of this case continues to raise questions about the integrity of political leaders in Singapore and the mechanisms in place for accountability within the nation’s parliamentary system. As discussions move forward, the emphasis on maintaining high ethical standards among politicians is expected to be a central theme in upcoming parliamentary sessions.