Explaining Why Pritam Singh is Now Removed as the Leader of the Opposition

Описание: Full Motion Debate (from 3:21:36 to 6:45:32):    • Parliament Sitting 14 January 2026  

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In 2021, Raeesah Khan admitted to lying in Parliament, triggering a Committee of Privileges (COP) investigation. She resigned and was fined $35,000 for the false statement. The COP’s report implicated Pritam Singh, Sylvia Lim, and Faisal Manap for giving misleading evidence to the committee; ultimately only Pritam Singh was charged for lying during the COP proceedings. Charges against Pritam Singh were only brought in 2024, and after trial he was found guilty in 2025 on multiple counts of giving false evidence to a parliamentary committee. His conviction was upheld by the High Court in December 2025, and he was fined accordingly.

Following the conviction, the Workers’ Party announced on 3 January 2026 that it would form a disciplinary panel to determine if Pritam Singh had contravened party rules, with further action to follow once the panel completed its assessment. Separately, Parliament initiated a “motion of expression of regret and consideration of suitability to continue as Leader of the Opposition,” debated on 14 January 2026, to assess whether Pritam Singh remained fit for the role in light of his conviction.

During the parliamentary debate, MPs noted that the Leader of the Opposition holds a significant public office and that a court finding of dishonesty raised questions about suitability. Critics argued that the conviction and perceived leadership failures warranted removal, while Pritam Singh maintained disagreement with the verdict and asserted his right to maintain innocence. The motion passed with ruling party and nominated MPs supporting the view that he was unfit, and Workers’ Party MPs dissenting.

On 15 January 2026, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong removed Pritam Singh as Leader of the Opposition, citing the High Court judgment and Parliament’s resolution. The Prime Minister invited the Workers’ Party to nominate a replacement who was not implicated in the COP findings; Sylvia Lim is likely ineligible due to prior implication.