WP leader Pritam Singh to face trial over alleged false testimony in October

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.