AGC Warns Pritam Singh and Mediacorp Over Court Contempt

The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has issued warning letters to Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh and media organization Mediacorp for contempt of court related to comments made during an interview. The AGC confirmed this decision on December 19, 2023, highlighting the seriousness of their actions in relation to the judicial system.

In its statement, the AGC noted that it had taken into account various factors, including apologies issued by both Singh and Mediacorp. Both entities published their apologies on December 13. Notably, Mediacorp, the parent company of Channel News Asia (CNA), removed the interview from its platforms on December 12.

Singh’s remarks were made during CNA’s program, The Assembly, where he addressed accusations of being a liar. The interview was recorded in July and aired on November 5, just a day after the High Court reserved judgment on Singh’s appeal against a conviction for lying to a parliamentary committee. Following the airing of the interview, Singh shared commentary about it on Facebook on November 6 and November 8. The High Court subsequently dismissed his appeal on December 4.

The AGC had previously reached out to Singh and Mediacorp on November 28, indicating that the statements made during the interview constituted contempt of court. Mediacorp expressed its acknowledgment of this, stating: “We accept that the publication of the interview, which contained the statements by Mr. Singh regarding the case relating to Ms. Raeesah Khan, is in contempt of court.” The organization conveyed its apology to the court and committed to avoiding similar publications in the future.

In a Facebook post dated December 13, Singh admitted that his comments could be interpreted as contemptuous, impacting the integrity and impartiality of the court. He offered a full and unreserved apology and pledged to refrain from making similar statements going forward.

The Ministry of Law condemned Singh’s comments as “very wrong” and stated they have no place in a system predicated on the rule of law. The AGC emphasized that contempt of court undermines justice in Singapore, warning that unchecked conduct could diminish respect for judicial institutions.

The AGC reiterated its commitment to addressing any actions that could be deemed contemptuous, affirming that it would not hesitate to take decisive measures against such behavior. The implications of this situation underscore the delicate balance between public discourse and the integrity of the judicial process in Singapore.