Pritam Singh: The Indian-origin Singaporean politician fined SGD 14,000 for perjury

Singapore’s political landscape witnessed a dramatic turn as Pritam Singh, the Indian-origin Leader of the Opposition, was fined SGD 14,000 on Monday after being found guilty of lying under oath to a parliamentary committee. Despite the conviction, Singh remains eligible to contest in the upcoming general elections scheduled for November this year.

Pritam Singh: Court Ruling and Sentencing

The ruling, delivered by Deputy Principal District Judge Luke Tan, imposed the maximum fine of SGD 7,000 for each of the two charges Singh faced. The prosecution had sought the highest possible penalty, arguing that Singh’s actions undermined parliamentary integrity. However, the court agreed with both the prosecution and the defence that a jail term was not necessary.

Pritam Singh, 48, was convicted of giving false testimony to a parliamentary committee investigating the misconduct of former Workers’ Party (WP) MP Raeesah Khan. Khan had earlier admitted to fabricating a story in Parliament about assisting a sexual assault victim at a police station, which later led to her resignation.

Election Eligibility and Legal Appeal

Under Singapore’s Constitution, a Member of Parliament (MP) is disqualified from holding office if sentenced to at least one year in prison or fined SGD 10,000 or more for a single charge. Since Singh’s individual fines were SGD 7,000 each, the Elections Department confirmed that his penalty does not disqualify him from standing in the next general election.

Shortly after the verdict, Pritam Singh announced on Facebook that he has instructed his legal team to file an appeal against the conviction. His team is now analyzing the court’s written judgment before taking further steps.

Singh’s Response and Political Future

Addressing the media outside the State Courts, Pritam Singh reaffirmed his commitment to contest the upcoming elections despite the court’s ruling. “I respect the judicial process, but I believe in my position and will continue serving the people,” he stated.

The Workers’ Party, which Singh leads as Secretary-General, has stood firmly behind him, with party members expressing confidence in his leadership and ability to continue advocating for Singaporeans.

Background of the Case

Singh’s charges stemmed from his testimonies given to the Committee of Privileges (COP) in December 2021. He was found to have misrepresented key details regarding his handling of Raeesah Khan’s fabricated statement in Parliament. The prosecution argued that Singh knowingly gave false testimony about discussions he had with Khan in August and October 2021, in which he allegedly advised her on handling the false claim.

Judge Tan noted that while Singh’s political experience made him aware of the implications of Khan’s lie, his statements to the COP suggested otherwise. “The court must send a message on the importance of giving truthful information when under oath,” the judge emphasized during sentencing.

Public Reaction and Political Ramifications

Pritam Singh’s conviction has sparked varied reactions across Singapore. While critics argue that integrity in politics must be upheld at all costs, many supporters believe the ruling is politically motivated. The case has intensified discussions on Singapore’s strict parliamentary regulations and their implications for opposition leaders.

Political analysts predict that Singh’s conviction could galvanize support for the Workers’ Party, as many voters perceive the ruling as an attempt to weaken the opposition ahead of the general elections. With Singapore’s political climate heating up, the upcoming elections are expected to be one of the most closely watched in recent history.

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