Singapore
WP leader Pritam Singh to face trial over alleged false testimony in October
Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh is set for a trial from 14 October to 13 November, charged with lying to a parliamentary committee during its 2021 inquiry into former MP Raeesah Khan’s statements.
The Secretary General of the Workers’ Party (WP), Pritam Singh, will face trial from 14 October to 13 November, as determined during a pre-trial conference held today at the State Courts. The proceedings will be overseen by Deputy Principal District Judge Luke Tan.
Mr Singh, 47, faces charges under Section 31(q) of the Parliament (Privileges, Immunities, and Powers) Act.
He was formally accused on 19 March, following a two-year investigation into his testimony during the Committee of Privileges hearings.
These hearings were focused on the conduct of former WP MP Raeesah Khan, who admitted to lying to Parliament on 1 November 2021 about a sexual assault case in August 2021. She resigned later that month.
The parliamentary committee concluded in its findings that Mr Singh was not truthful in his testimony given on 10 and 15 December 2021. Subsequently, a motion was passed in Parliament in February 2022 to refer his case to the state prosecutors.
One allegation against Singh is that he told the committee that he had advised Ms Khan to clarify in Parliament that her statement made on 3 August 2021 was untrue. Additionally, it is alleged that during a meeting on 3 October 2021, he instructed her to admit to her lie if questioned on 4 October.
Singh has entered pleas of not guilty to both charges and has elected for trial. His defence is represented by lawyers Andre Darius Jumabhoy and Aristotle Emmanuel Eng Zhen Yang, who attended the pre-trial conference before District Judge Chee Min Ping.
The trial represents a critical legal battle for Singh, who continues to lead the WP amidst these serious allegations and the upcoming General Election, which must be held by November 2025.
The offence of lying to a parliamentary committee carries potential penalties of up to three years in prison, a $7,000 fine, or both.
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If all goes according to plan, Pritam will be found guilty and all conditions related to his conviction, … will bar and disqualify him from elections, permanently !!! The WP will be in a right ‘ol dilemma, … with no leader and a GE looming !!! Trust this regime to lay on the shit, … about dishonesty and “lying through their teeth” WP, and that such characters should never be in public office !!! Raeesah’s “moment of madness” will have probably costs the WP, … it’s leader and possible gains in thee upcoming GE. Does this mean that the electorate… Read more »
You said, I said. How to prove what actually happened? Waste of taxpayers’ monies and shows the small-mindedness of the ruling party. How does this serve the Public? All actions of the ruling party must benefit the State and Citizens. Does anyone see how we benefit from this Court Case? Using the Courts is the same as using SPH. We are paying for nonsensical behaviour of the PAP. The Chairman of the Committee of Privileges has betrayed his office. So how can this proceed.
It looks like Millionaire LW inherited the “opposition fixing drive” from his predecessor.
So much for “working” with Singaporeans. It turns out to be the same old empty words.
He should have just said, “If you vote for the wrong candidate and we will correct your “mistakes” for you.”
No changes in governance under LW.
Political witch hunt campaign. Very bad and very obvious.
I thought it was Raeesah Khan who lied. Maybe Pritam can make a claim that Raeesah is not a pure descendant of Pakistani parents to absolve himself of any wrong doing. I understand a similar argument was made by some civil servants in the wild chicken case and they ESCAPED punishment. Not even a wrist slap …
This is the legacy of tthat old man!
Lawfare!!!
Devastating destruction for the island, in the long term.
Someone tell lies and walk away with a small fine and settled in no time.
But others have to bear the full burden and a massive legal implications that drags on for years.
Welcome to Singapore. Land of the unbelievable and unimaginable
This is the UNCONSTITUONAL, Uniquely SG, way to TAKE DOWN a political opponent when popular votes FAILED.
SG u are damned. Your children, your GRAND children’s FUTURE is SHREDDED by legal means instead of GE rules.