The Case of Singapore’s Opposition Leader Pritam Singh: Facing Charges of Lying Under Oath
In a stunning turn of events, Singapore’s opposition leader Pritam Singh has been charged with lying under oath in connection to a case involving a former lawmaker from his party.
The controversy swirls around former MP Raeesa Khan, who had accused the police of mishandling a situation involving a sexual assault victim. However, it was later revealed that Ms. Khan had fabricated the incident and was subsequently fined.
Adding another layer to the saga, Ms. Khan claimed that Singh had encouraged her to stick to her false narrative even after discovering the truth. Singh, who leads the opposition Workers’ Party, has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty.
If convicted, Singh could face a maximum jail term of three years or a hefty fine of S$7,000 (£4,100; $5,200), or both.
In a sequence of events that unfolded in August 2021, Ms. Khan, then a lawmaker from the Workers’ Party, alleged mistreatment of a sexual assault victim by the police. However, when pressed for specifics, she backtracked and eventually confessed in November of the same year that her account was false.
As a result, Ms. Khan was slapped with a S$35,000 fine for her deceit and misuse of parliamentary privilege, leading to her resignation from the party.
A parliamentary committee conducted an inquiry into the matter and determined that Singh had not been entirely truthful during his sworn testimony. This prompted a call for further investigation by the public prosecutor.
With the parliament’s endorsement of the committee’s findings in February 2022, Singh found himself in court facing the charges. Despite appearing without legal representation, he declared his intention to challenge the accusations.
It’s worth noting that in Singapore, MPs convicted of a criminal offense could potentially lose their seats, adding a high-stakes dimension to the unfolding legal drama. — BBC