Pritam Singh, an opposition leader from India and the Indian-origin in Singapore, was found guilty on Monday of giving false evidence to a political committee. His conviction could result in his being barred from Parliament and impede his ability to challenge the approaching general election.
In connection with his handling of a situation involving former Workers ‘ Party lawmaker Raeesah Khan, who was found to have lied in Parliament, assistant principal district judge Luke Tan found guilty of two counts against Singh. According to PTI, Singh was charged with wilfully giving false information to the committee of privileges ( COP) during its investigation into Khan’s case on December 10, 2021.
Khan claimed in Parliament that she had witnessed inappropriate comments from an agent and accompanied a sexual assault victim to the officers place. However, the state was afterwards debunked, leading to her departure from Parliament.
Judge Tan upheld Singh’s claim that he was aware of the fabricated story and that he had not taken enough steps to allow Khan to acknowledge her falsehood.
The judge even accepted Khan’s claim that Singh had told her to “take the rest to the grave,” according to AFP.
Possible dismissal from primaries
Singh, 48, now faces a potential prison sentence of up to three years, a fine of up to SGD 7, 000 ($ 5, 290 ), or both for each charge. Under Singapore’s constitution, a person fined at least SGD 10, 000 ($ 7, 400 ) or jailed for at least one year is disqualified from contesting elections and holding a parliamentary seat for five years.
According to AFP, the prosecution has indicated that it will ask for a good for each cost.
This verdict represents a major setback for Singapore’s opposition, especially as a result of a call-out for a general election in November 2025. Singh’s Workers ‘ Party achieved a traditional win in the 2020 elections, winning 10 seats in Parliament, marking its best performance since freedom.
Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party ( PAP ), which has governed since 1959, continues to dominate the political scene, but the Workers ‘ Party had been seen as a growing opposition force. The forthcoming election will mark Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s second significant political test.
