A Call for Resilience Amidst Controversy
Singapore — The fallout from the false statements made by former Workers’ Party (WP) MP Raeesah Khan in Parliament last year has posed significant challenges for her party and its secretary-general, Pritam Singh.
On February 10, the Committee of Privileges (COP) released a report recommending a fine of $35,000 for Ms. Khan due to her falsehoods. The report also indicated that WP leadership, including Mr. Singh, party chair Sylvia Lim, and vice-chair Faisal Manap, had misled the committee. Additionally, it recommended that Mr. Singh and Mr. Manap be referred to the Public Prosecutor concerning Mr. Singh’s conduct and Mr. Manap’s possible contempt of Parliament for refusing to answer pertinent questions. The decision now lies with the Public Prosecutor to determine whether criminal charges will be brought against these Aljunied GRC MPs, which could jeopardize their parliamentary positions.
Despite the turmoil, many supporters are rallying behind the Leader of the Opposition, believing he can emerge from this crisis stronger than before. Michael Han, a Facebook user and Director at Hoh Law Corporation, recently expressed his thoughts on “the second coming of Pritam Singh” in a post.
Mr. Han highlighted Mr. Singh’s historical significance as Singapore’s first Leader of the Opposition, noting that his appointment marked a pivotal moment in Singapore’s political landscape. “It opened up a fresh new page for Singapore history from ground up. What JBJ, Chiam, and Low could not achieve, Pritam did in his relatively short time in office,” he wrote, adding that this shift offered a much-needed spot of color in the otherwise monochromatic Parliament.
However, Mr. Han also indicated that the recent COP report could represent a turning point for Mr. Singh. “A sterner tide that Pritam’s bravado in the COP proceedings could not navigate,” he stated. He suggested that the Leader of the Opposition may have misjudged the strategies needed to confront the COP.
“Perhaps he underestimated those judging him and misread the political charisma he carried. More importantly, he may have overlooked that the proceedings before the PAP-dominated elevated bench are not the same as campaigning door to door,” Mr. Han noted.
In his analysis, Mr. Han observed that while Mr. Singh garnered praise for his performance during the proceedings, he ultimately faced significant blows to his integrity.
Reflecting on Mr. Singh’s previous campaign during the last General Election amidst the pandemic, Mr. Han remarked on how he successfully navigated the challenges posed by the ruling party’s monetary giveaways and the public’s desire for stability during tough times. “He faced an uphill battle against the ruling party’s wealth and the people’s struggles, and against all odds, he managed to steer through it,” he added.
Yet, he cautioned that “politics is not just about doing the right thing; it’s about executing it effectively.” He concluded his post with a hopeful message for Mr. Singh, urging him to correctly assess the current political climate and return to his trusted approach, stating, “If he reads the season right and returns to being the Pritam that many trust and support, we may just witness the resurgence of Pritam Singh.”
