Pritam Singh, head of the Workers’ Party in Singapore, was fined for lying under oath but remains eligible to run in upcoming elections. The conviction raises questions about the party's public image amid multiple political scandals.
Pritam Singh Found Guilty but Remains in Opposition Race
Pritam Singh Found Guilty but Remains in Opposition Race
Singapore’s opposition leader, Pritam Singh, faces a guilty verdict for false testimony yet can continue his political campaign.
In a significant ruling reported on February 17, 2025, the Singapore State Court found Pritam Singh, leader of the Workers' Party and the first formally designated opposition leader, guilty of lying under oath during parliamentary proceedings. He was slapped with a fine of 7,000 Singaporean dollars (approximately $5,220) for each of the two counts of false testimony. Despite the verdict, he is set to appeal and will not be disqualified from running in the upcoming elections, as Singapore's Constitution stipulates that only fines exceeding 10,000 Singaporean dollars for a single offense can lead to disqualification from parliamentary office for five years.
The case centers around the investigation into Raeesah Khan, a fellow party member who admitted to repeatedly misleading Parliament regarding a sexual assault case in 2021. The parliamentary committee probing this scandal heavily scrutinized Singh’s conduct. Political analysts have raised concerns about the implications of his guilty verdict, which might damage the Workers’ Party’s appeal among undecided voters.
This year also marks a significant transition for Singapore's political landscape; the upcoming elections by November 23 will witness the People's Action Party (P.A.P.), which has governed for decades, facing off against Singh's empowered Workers' Party under its new leadership. The P.A.P. received its smallest vote share in the last election, indicating a shift in voter sentiment.
Political analysts highlight that Singh’s conviction could undermine the reputation of the Workers’ Party, which has been struggling to navigate amidst a backdrop of political scandals, including the jailing of a former transport minister for graft and the resignation of Parliament’s Speaker over an extramarital affair. As the nation prepares for this critical election, Singh remains optimistic that his party represents progression towards a more balanced political system in Singapore.
