Red Dot United expresses solidarity with Pritam Singh following false testimony conviction

SINGAPORE: Alternative party Red Dot United (RDU) has expressed solidarity with the Workers’ Party (WP) after its chief, Pritam Singh, was convicted in court for providing false testimony to the Committee of Privileges (COP) during its inquiry in December 2021. In a statement shared on social media on Tuesday (18 February), RDU Secretary-General Ravi Philemon welcomed the news that Singh would still be eligible to contest the upcoming General Election, which must be held by November 2025. Philemon highlighted that the playing field is never level for the Opposition in Singapore, no matter how hard they try to play fair and avoid hitting below the belt. "Yet, we step forward—not for personal gain, but out of a deep sense of duty to the people." While acknowledging that no one is above the law, Philemon emphasised that justice must always be fair, transparent, and seen to be done. He stressed that a strong democracy is built not just on rules, but on trust—trust in due process, impartial institutions, and the fundamental principle that every Singaporean deserves equal treatment under the law.

Pritam Singh confirms candidacy for general election following conviction appeal

On Monday, the Workers’ Party expressed unwavering solidarity with Singh, rallying around their leader as party officials voiced their full support. WP Chair Sylvia Lim issued a statement acknowledging the challenges the party faces but reaffirming their commitment to overcoming them. She reiterated that while the law must take its course, the WP is accustomed to challenges and will continue to rise to the occasion as it has in the past. Singh also confirmed yesterday his intention to contest the upcoming General Election. The Elections Department (ELD) confirmed in a statement that Singh remains eligible to contest the upcoming General Election, as his conviction and penalty do not meet the disqualification criteria under Singapore’s Constitution. According to the ELD, disqualification as a Member of Parliament applies only if an individual is sentenced to at least one year of imprisonment or fined at least S$10,000 for a single offence. Singh, the Member of Parliament for Aljunied GRC, was fined the maximum of S$7,000 for each of his two charges, amounting to a total penalty of S$14,000. Deputy Principal District Judge Luke Tan found Singh guilty of two counts of lying to the Committee of Privileges, making him the first sitting opposition MP in nearly 40 years to be convicted of a criminal offence. The first charge concerned Singh’s claim that on 8 August 2021, he had intended for former WP MP Raeesah Khan to clarify her lie in Parliament at some point. The second charge pertained to his assertion that he had advised Khan on 3 October 2021 to admit her falsehood in Parliament, one day before she reiterated it. Singh, who serves as the Leader of the Opposition, stated that his legal team has been instructed to file an appeal and review the written oral judgment in detail.