Pritam Singh, leader of Singapore's main opposition Workers' Party, has lost his appeal against a guilty verdict for misleading a parliamentary committee. In February, Singh was fined S$14,000 (approximately $10,800) for failing to address a lie presented by former lawmaker Raeesah Khan during a parliamentary session.
In a brief hearing in court, the presiding judge affirmed the conviction, citing the strength of the evidence against Singh. Expressing regret over the decision, Singh, however, accepted it without reservation and proceeded to pay his fine immediately following the hearing. He reassured supporters of his ongoing dedication to serve the people of Singapore despite the conviction.
The legal troubles began in 2021 when Khan fabricated a story about witnessing police misconduct, later revealing under scrutiny that Singh and other party leaders had encouraged her to maintain the false narrative. While Khan has since resigned and faced her penalty, Singh's case remains a focal point of discussion regarding political accountability and judicial independence in Singapore.
Singh's defense claimed that the court neglected key evidence, challenging the credibility of Khan and others involved. They suggested that Singh's inaction during the aftermath was due to personal and professional distractions. However, prosecutors contended that his conduct demonstrated an intention to neither rectify the false claims nor push Khan to admit the truth, reminiscent of concerns over the political use of judicial power against dissenting lawmakers.
This ruling is notable as it stands among few criminal convictions against active opposition figures, raising discussions on the role of the judiciary in Singapore's governance.
