Pritam Singh, Singapore's Leader of the Opposition, has been stripped of his title following a parliamentary vote instigated by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. This move comes in the wake of Singh's conviction for lying under oath to a parliamentary committee, a charge he has vehemently denied.
The parliamentary vote occurred on Wednesday, amidst an assembly largely dominated by the ruling People's Action Party (PAP). Although Singh will retain his position as a member of parliament and the secretary-general of the Workers' Party (WP), he will lose privileges associated with his previous leadership role, including additional allowances and certain parliamentary rights.
Singh's conviction marks a significant moment in Singapore’s political arena as it is one of the rare instances of a sitting opposition politician being criminally convicted. Critics have alleged that the government utilizes the judicial system to challenge its political opponents, claims that have been consistently denied by the authorities.
During the parliamentary debate that led to the vote, Indranee Rajah, the Leader of the House, accused Singh of eroding public trust and failing to take responsibility for his actions. In contrast, Singh argued that he retained a clear conscience, disputing claims of dishonor and asserting his intent to continue serving as an MP.
Singh's legal troubles began in 2021, tied to a claim made by now former WP lawmaker Raeesah Khan, who alleged police misconduct. This claim was later revealed to be false. Singh was found guilty earlier this year, with a court ruling indicating he intended to suppress Khan's admission of the lie.
Following the vote, Singh expressed his resolve with a simple response: '#WeContinue'. The Workers' Party has stated it will consider the implications of this outcome and respond accordingly.
