31-5-2024 (SIGNAPORE) Pritam Singh, the Leader of the Opposition and chief of the Workers’ Party (WP), is set to face trial in October over charges of lying to a Committee of Privileges in Parliament. The 47-year-old politician faces two charges related to his testimony during an inquiry into the case of former WP member Raeesah Khan, who had admitted to lying about accompanying a sexual assault victim to a police station.
During a pre-trial conference held in chambers away from the public and media on Friday morning (May 31), a total of 16 days were allocated for Singh’s trial before Deputy Principal District Judge Luke Tan. According to court records, the first segment of the trial is scheduled to commence from October 14 to October 18.
If necessary, three additional periods have been set aside for the trial, spanning October 21 to October 24, November 5 to November 8, and November 11 to November 13.
Singh has hired lawyers Mr. Andre Darius Jumabhoy and Mr. Aristotle Emmanuel Eng Zhen Yang from a boutique law firm to represent him in the case. He had made his intention to claim trial clear from the outset, pleading not guilty when he was first charged in court on March 19.
The two charges against Singh allege that he wilfully made false statements on December 10 and December 15, 2021, during the public hearing of the Committee of Privileges in Parliament House. The inquiry centered around the case of Raeesah Khan, who had lied about accompanying a sexual assault victim to a police station and accused the authorities of mishandling the case.
Singh is alleged to have testified falsely that he had wanted Khan to clarify her statements in Parliament about the incident and that he spoke to her with the intention of conveying the need for clarification.
If convicted of lying under the Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act, Singh could face up to three years in jail, a fine of up to S$7,000, or both, for each charge.
Throughout the proceedings, Singh has maintained his innocence and his intention to claim trial. The upcoming trial will closely scrutinize the events surrounding the Raeesah Khan case and Singh’s alleged false statements to the Committee of Privileges.
