What Was the Alleged Lie That Led to Pritam Singh’s Conviction in Parliament?

On February 17th 2025, Pritam Singh, the leader of the Workers’ Party of Singapore was found guilty of lying to Parliament. This was based on Singh’s handling of another member of our party, Raeesah Khan who had fabricated a story about escorting a victim of sexual assault to the police station. 

Singh was accused of misleading the Committee of Privileges during its inquiry into Khan’s falsehoods. The court found that Singh had “willingly” lied and had no intention to have Khan clarify her lie in Parliament.

If Singh is fined more than S$10,000 or sentenced to more than a year behind the bars then he would not be able to contest the upcoming general elections.

For this reason, the case cannot escape scrutiny particularly now since the Workers’ Party made some pretty serious strides at the previous parliamentary elections in 2020. The conviction raises uncertainty over the party’s prospects and its ability to contest the ruling People’s Action Party.

Meanwhile, Singh’s sentencing is awaited and the political establishment is watching developments very closely. Whatever the outcome, it is sure to have a certain undoing on Singapore’s political landscape.