Singapore parliament refers opposition leader to prosecutor for lying

 

Pritam Singh rejects findings that offenses have been committed saying report rested on ‘uncorroborated’ evidence. (Reuters pic)

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s parliament voted today to refer the leader of the opposition to the public prosecutor in connection with a lying scandal involving a former member of parliament.

A committee stacked with ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) lawmakers had found that Pritam Singh, who is also the Workers’ Party head, had “told untruths” during his testimony in the investigation into a former lawmaker who lied in parliament about a sexual assault case.

The parliament approved a motion to refer Singh and Workers’ Party vice-chair Faisal Manap to the prosecutor for possible criminal charges. The PAP holds a super-majority in the legislature.

The process taken by the committee of privileges and “the report before parliament leave many questions, gaps and omissions, and by extension, suggests political partisanship,” Singh said at the parliamentary debate today.

He said the report rested on “uncorroborated” evidence, rejecting findings that offenses have been committed. If the matter goes to the public prosecutor, Singh said he plans to fully cooperate.

Lawmakers can lose their seats if they are convicted of an offense by a Singapore court and sentenced to jail for more than one year or fined S$2,000 (US$1,486) or more unless they receive a free pardon.

Parliament also approved the committee’s recommendation that Raeesah Khan, from the Workers’ Party, be fined S$35,000 for abusing parliamentary privilege with repeating the lie. The votes pose a serious blow for an opposition party that made historic gains in 2020 elections when it won ten seats and secured two group representation constituencies.

Khan, who resigned in December after admitting she manufactured some of the details of the sexual assault case, had testified before the committee that Singh along with two other senior Workers’ Party members, told her to maintain the lie. The party leadership has denied this allegation.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today encouraged members of parliament to vote in favour of the motions.

The issues “if not dealt with properly will dishonour parliament and bring this august institution into disrepute,” he said. “It’s essential that we steadfastly maintain our high standards and ensure that we have leaders who embody the right values.” - FMT