In brief
In a significant legal ruling, Singapore's High Court upheld the guilty verdict against opposition leader Pritam Singh for his role in a parliamentary lie involving former lawmaker Raeesah Khan. Singh, who was fined S$14,000, expressed disappointment but accepted the decision. This case highlights concerns over political opposition and judicial independence in Singapore.
Singapore's opposition leader Pritam Singh has lost his appeal against a guilty verdict of lying to a parliamentary committee.
In February, Singh was fined S$14,000 ($10,800; £8,100) for two charges related to his handling of Raeesah Khan, a former lawmaker from his party who confessed to lying to parliament.
In a short hearing to a packed court public gallery on Friday, the judge stated that Singh's conviction was well-supported by the evidence presented.
Singh, leader of the main opposition Workers' Party, expressed disappointment with the decision but stated he would accept it fully and without reservation. Following the hearing, he paid his fines at the courthouse, commenting, Might as well get it done. Singh retains his parliamentary position despite the conviction, reaffirming his commitment to serve the Singaporean public.
The Workers' Party remains the only opposition party in Singapore's parliament, holding 12 of the 99 seats available.
What to know about the case
The controversial saga began in 2021 when Khan claimed to have witnessed police misconduct towards a sexual assault victim. Later admitting the fabrication, she suggested that party leaders, including Singh, instructed her to maintain the narrative despite knowing the truth.
Khan subsequently resigned from both the party and parliament, facing a fine of S$35,000 for lying and abusing her parliamentary privilege. In February, a court found Singh's actions strongly indicative of his intent to allow Khan to evade the truth.
Despite maintaining his innocence, Singh faced tough scrutiny during the trial, with his lawyer arguing the court disregarded crucial evidence and challenged the credibility of Khan and her aides. As Singh’s appeal was examined, critics of the government noted the implications regarding political opposition and judicial integrity in Singapore, where such convictions against lawmakers are notably rare.
The ruling mirrors broader concerns surrounding the use of judiciary measures by the Singaporean government against political opponents, a claim that the authorities have consistently denied.
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