SINGAPORE: The long-running controversy surrounding former Employees’ Celebration MP Raeesah Khan has taken a brand new flip, with the Regulation Society of Singapore initiating disciplinary proceedings in opposition to Employees’ Celebration chief Pritam Singh. It began with one incorrect candidate fielded by Employees’ Celebration in GE2020.
On March 12, the Regulation Society of Singapore initiated disciplinary proceedings in opposition to Mr Singh, who’s a lawyer. In line with media stories, a case administration convention had been scheduled to be held in a Supreme Courtroom chamber on Thursday afternoon.
A case administration is held behind closed doorways. For conditions involving legal professionals, after the Regulation Society brings costs, a disciplinary tribunal offers its ruling on the case. If disciplinary motion is deemed wanted, the Regulation Society applies to the Supreme Courtroom for a listening to to be heard by the Courtroom of Three Judges. The courtroom might impose such penalties as fines, suspension, or disbarment.
It has been a rocky highway for Mr Singh, who had been designated as Singapore’s first official Chief of the Opposition in 2020 however was faraway from this place earlier this 12 months.
It started with a lie
In August 2021, Ms Khan instructed Parliament a couple of sexual assault sufferer whom she accompanied to a police station, the place she alleged that the sufferer was handled insensitively. A couple of days later, she admitted to the occasion leaders that the story she instructed in Parliament was unfaithful. After Ms Khan met with Mr Singh, WP chair Sylvia Lim, and vice chair Faisal Manap, the previous MP appeared to interpret their recommendation as to remain silent concerning the lie she had instructed.
By October, nonetheless, she met with the WP leaders once more, who agreed that she ought to appropriate the lie she had instructed, and on Nov 1, 2021, she admitted in Parliament that the story she instructed was unfaithful.
By December, a Parliamentary Committee of Privileges (COP) had been convened to analyze the matter, and questions arose as to the recommendation he had given Ms Khan as to telling the reality. Mr Singh testified earlier than the committee, and it was this testimony that later turned the premise for the prison costs filed in opposition to him.
In February 2022, the COP really helpful a S$35,000 fantastic for Ms Khan, in addition to referred Mr Singh and Mr Faisal to the Public Prosecutor for his or her conduct in the course of the investigation.
After additional investigations have been held, Mr Singh was formally charged with two counts of mendacity to the COP on March 19, 2024. He was discovered responsible of this cost on Feb 17, 2025, and fined S$14,000.
Mr Singh went on to contest within the Normal Election that Could, and the WP slate at Aljunied received for the fourth time.
Though he appealed his conviction, on Dec 4, 2025, the Excessive Courtroom upheld the choice.
The WP then introduced that it will perform an inner disciplinary course of regarding Mr Singh.
In the identical month, Home Chief Indranee Rajah stated that Mr Singh’s convictions and actions can be mentioned in Parliament, and a vote was taken on Jan 14, 2026, to find out his suitability as Chief of the Opposition. He was faraway from the place by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong the next day. Whereas PM Wong instructed the WP that it might select one other elected MP to function Chief of the Opposition, they declined to take action. /TISG
Learn additionally: Jamus Lim: We should always have moved on from the occasions of Raeesahgate a very long time in the past
