Workers’ Party Secretary-General faces criminal charges related to parliamentary testimony.
SINGAPORE: Mr. Pritam Singh, the secretary-general of the Workers’ Party (WP), pleaded not guilty to two counts of lying to a parliamentary committee in connection with the case of former WP MP Raeesah Khan. Ms. Khan resigned from both the party and Parliament on November 31, 2021, after admitting to lying multiple times in Parliament about an incident of sexual assault.
The scandal escalated when the WP leadership was drawn into the issue, leading to an investigation by the Committee of Privileges (COP). The COP recommended that Ms. Khan be fined S$35,000 for providing false statements in Parliament on August 3 and October 4, 2021. It also concluded that WP leaders, including Mr. Singh, were involved in misleading the committee, with the recommendation that Ms. Khan had acted under their direction.
As part of the investigation, the COP suggested that Mr. Singh and WP Vice-Chair Faisal Manap be referred to the public prosecutor regarding Mr. Singh’s conduct before the committee and Mr. Manap’s potential contempt of Parliament for his refusal to answer certain questions.
In February 2023, Law Minister K. Shanmugam confirmed that both Mr. Singh and Mr. Manap were still under criminal investigation. Over a year later, Mr. Singh entered a not guilty plea to the two charges under Section 31(q) of the Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act and claimed trial.
Appearing unrepresented by a lawyer in the State Courts on March 19, 2024, Mr. Singh requested a four-week adjournment to secure legal representation. A pre-trial conference is set for April 17.
Lying in response to questions posed by a parliamentary committee is a criminal offence under the Act. Those found guilty can face a maximum sentence of three years in prison, a fine of up to S$7,000, or both.
Meanwhile, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) and the police announced that Mr. Manap would not face charges. As an MP for Aljunied GRC, Mr. Manap has received an advisory to familiarize himself with the expected conduct of MPs under the Act and avoid future breaches. He has acknowledged the advisory.
Party chair Sylvia Lim, who had testified as a witness for the COP, has not been charged either. Further details on the charges against Mr. Singh can be found in the joint advisory from the AGC and the Police.
