Singapore PM Removes Pritam Singh As Opposition Leader

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Thursday removed Workers’ Party secretary-general Pritam Singh from his post as Leader of the Opposition (LO) with immediate effect.

The decision came a day after Parliament voted to express regret over Singh’s conduct, and said his conviction and conduct rendered him unsuitable to continue in the role. 

“Having considered the matter carefully, I have decided that Mr Singh’s criminal convictions, taken together with Parliament’s considered view of his unsuitability, make it no longer tenable for him to continue as the Opposition leader.

“Mr Singh’s designation as the LO will therefore cease with immediate effect,” Wong said in a statement.

The Prime Minister said the decision is necessary to uphold the rule of law, as well as the dignity and integrity of Parliament.

Singh was convicted by the District Court of two counts of lying to Parliament’s Committee of Privileges (COP). His appeal to the High Court in December 2025 was also dismissed.

His charges relate to his testimony before the COP, which had been convened in November 2021 to investigate a lying controversy involving then Workers’ Party member Raeesah Khan.

Wong said the legal outcome is final and conclusive and must be fully respected in determining Singh’s suitability to remain as the Opposition leader.

The Prime Minister said he has invited the Workers’ Party to nominate another elected Member of Parliament to serve as the next Opposition leader.

He noted that the nominee should not have been implicated in the earlier findings of the COP, and must be able to meet the high standards expected of the office.

“I hope to receive their nomination soon, so that this important position in our parliamentary democracy will not remain vacant for too long,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Workers’ Party confirmed on Facebook that it has received a letter from the Prime Minister and will carefully consider its content through internal processes and respond in due course.

The position of Opposition leader was first formally established in 2020. The role carries significant responsibilities, including leading the opposition in debates on bills and motions and nominating opposition members to Select Committees.

The Opposition leader may also be asked to represent Parliament at state functions and meetings with foreign dignitaries and receives confidential briefings on matters of national interest.

-- BERNAMA