Singapore’s Indian-origin opposition leader convicted of lying in parliament

Updated : Feb 17, 2025 11:22
|
PTI

Singapore’s Indian-origin Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh was found guilty on Monday (February 17, 2025) of giving false testimony to a parliamentary committee, a verdict that could see him disqualified from Parliament and contesting a general election this year.

In the verdict delivered in the State Courts, Deputy Principal District Judge Luke Tan convicted Singh of the two charges against him.


The charges against Singh relate to his handling of Raeesah Khan, a former lawmaker from his party, who lied to Parliament in a separate case.

Singh, 48, was accused of wilfully giving two false answers to the Committee of Privileges (COP) during its inquiry into Khan's case on December 10 and December 15, 2021.

The case stems from Singh’s handling of Khan’s false claim in Parliament about accompanying a sexual assault victim to the police station.

Singh faces up to three years in jail, a fine of up to SGD7,000 ($5,290), or both for each charge.

Singh’s trial began four months ago.

Politically, the conviction could disqualify Singh from his parliamentary seat and rule out his standing in the next general election which must be called by November 2025.

"Any claim he made to the COP to the contrary was a lie he wilfully told," said Judge Tan.

The sentencing in the case will be announced later in the day.

Singapore

Recommended For You

editorji | World

India abstains from UNGA resolution demanding return of Ukrainian children from Russia

editorji | World

India rushes Bailey bridge, water units to Sri Lanka; shares digital disaster-response toolkit

editorji | World

Trump admin orders H-1B, H-4 visa applicants to make social media profiles public

editorji | World

Trump says Putin wants to end war, US to hold new talks with Ukraine

editorji | World

Doctor who sold ketamine to 'Friends' star Matthew Perry gets 2.5 years in prison