Singapore: Indian-origin opposition leader convicted of lying to parliament
What's the story
Pritam Singh, the leader of Singapore's Workers's Party, has been convicted on two counts of lying to a parliamentary committee. The 48-year-old opposition leader was embroiled in a case related to a false witness account by fellow party member and former MP Raeesah Khan. If convicted, Singh could be potentially barred from contesting in the upcoming national elections.
Election eligibility
Singh's sentencing could impact his political future
Singh's sentencing will be pivotal in deciding whether he can contest in the general elections due before November. As per Singapore's constitution, a person is disqualified from contesting elections for five years if they are fined at least SGD10,000 or given a jail term of one year. Singh could face up to three years in prison and fines of up to SGD7,000 per charge.
Legal proceedings
Prosecutors seek fines for each charge against Singh
Prosecutors have said they will seek fines for every charge against Singh. The case revolves around former MP Khan, who resigned after she admitted to making up a story about police insensitivity toward a rape victim. Khan confessed to lying to parliament in 2021 when she said that a police officer made "insensitive comments" about the way the alleged victim was dressed and that she had consumed alcohol.
Accusations detailed
Singh accused of misleading parliamentary committee
However, home affairs minister K. Shanmugam stated that there was no record of such an incident, and Khan later acknowledged to fabricating the allegation. Singh is accused of misleading the parliamentary committee by feigning ignorance of Khan's falsehoods. The conviction comes at a time when the Workers's Party is hoping to challenge the ruling People's Action Party's (PAP) dominance in upcoming elections. The PAP has been Singapore's dominant political party since 1959.