Singapore’s Workers’ Party reprimands Pritam after internal probe

 The reprimand follows his conviction for lying to a parliamentary committee.

Singapore’s Workers’ Party leader Pritam Singh was convicted and fined last year for giving false testimony in connection with a lying scandal involving a former party member. (EPA Images pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 Singapore’s main opposition party has issued a formal letter of reprimand to its chief, Pritam Singh, concluding a disciplinary process initiated after his conviction for lying to a parliamentary committee last year.

Singapore’s Workers’ Party said today that a disciplinary panel convened in January found that Pritam had contravened two articles of the party’s constitution.

The party’s central executive committee (CEC) accepted the panel’s findings after meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday to consider its report.

Party chair Sylvia Lim, vice-chair Faisal Manap, and Pritam recused themselves from the meeting.

“The CEC separately considered that, at all material times, Pritam did not intend to act in a manner contrary to the party’s principles, aims or objectives, or in a way prejudicial to its welfare. His actions ultimately reflected judgment calls he had to make.

“In assessing the range of possible actions, the CEC considered the totality of the circumstances and has issued a formal letter of reprimand,” the party said in a statement.

A Singapore court on Feb 17 last year found Pritam guilty of giving false testimony to a parliamentary committee in 2021 regarding fellow party member Raeesah Khan, who had admitted to lying in Parliament about accompanying a sexual assault victim to file a police report.

He was fined S$14,000. Pritam later filed an appeal, which was dismissed in December.

Singapore’s parliament subsequently voted to remove him as opposition leader on Jan 14. - FMT