Singapore Opposition Leader Charged with Giving False Testimony
The leader of Singapore’s opposition, Pritam Singh, has been charged with two counts of giving false testimony before a parliamentary committee. The charges stem from his involvement in a probe into one of his party members.
Details of the Charges
- Singh was charged at the State Courts for allegedly providing false testimony before the committee in December 2021.
- If found guilty, he could face a fine or a maximum of three years in prison.
According to a joint statement by the police and prosecution, Singh is accused of “willfully making false answers to material questions put to him during examination by the committee.”
Singh has pleaded not guilty to the charges and the next hearing is scheduled for May 10. Despite the legal proceedings, he has stated that he will continue with his parliamentary duties and town council responsibilities.
Background of the Case
The hearings that led to the charges were centered around parliamentarian Raeesah Khan, who had made allegations against the Singaporean police regarding their handling of a sexual assault case.
Khan later admitted to fabricating the story and resigned from her parliamentary seat and party. As the head of the Workers’ Party, Singh was called to testify before the parliamentary committee.
According to the charges, Singh falsely claimed that he had urged Khan to confess to fabricating the story during his testimony.
Singh, reflecting on his political journey, expressed his commitment to building a more balanced and democratic political system in Singapore despite the challenges.
The People’s Action Party (PAP) has dominated Singapore’s parliament since 1959, winning the majority of seats in the 2020 general elections. The Workers’ Party, led by Singh, holds the largest opposition presence in the legislature with 10 seats.
