Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has removed Pritam Singh from his role as Leader of the Opposition, marking the first time a holder of the post has been stripped of the title following a criminal conviction.
In a statement issued Thursday, Wong said Singh’s position had become untenable after parliament voted a day earlier that the opposition leader was unsuitable to continue following his conviction for lying to lawmakers.
The decision follows a February court ruling that found Singh guilty of giving false testimony to a parliamentary committee in 2021. The case centered on his handling of statements made by former party member Raeesah Khan, who had admitted to lying in parliament about accompanying a sexual assault victim to file a police report.
Wong said the move was necessary to protect the rule of law and maintain public trust in Singapore’s legislature. “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,” Wong said, adding that Singh’s designation as Leader of the Opposition would cease immediately.
Although parliament passed a motion declaring Singh’s conduct “dishonourable and unbecoming,” the final decision rested with the prime minister. The role of Leader of the Opposition is not written into Singapore’s constitution or parliamentary rules and is appointed at the discretion of the head of government.
The post carries additional responsibilities and benefits, including staff support, an allowance, and access to confidential government briefings, particularly during national emergencies.
Wong said he had asked the Workers’ Party to nominate another lawmaker who is not linked to the scandal to fill what he described as an important position within Singapore’s parliamentary system.
Political observers say the removal is unlikely to significantly weaken the opposition.
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Walid Jumblatt Abdullah, a political scientist at Nanyang Technological University, said Singh’s loss would largely be symbolic.
“The only substantive things he would be losing are his allowance and speaking time,” Abdullah said. “That will not materially affect the party.”
Singh will remain a member of parliament and continue to serve as secretary general of the Workers’ Party.
In a statement, the Workers’ Party said it had received Wong’s letter and would review it internally before responding.
“We will deliberate on its contents carefully through our internal processes and respond in due course,” the party said.
