Following a review of recent legal and parliamentary developments, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has removed Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh from his role as Leader of the Opposition and asked the party to nominate another Member of Parliament for the position.
In a statement issued on January 15, 2026, Mr. Wong said: “Having considered the matter carefully, I have decided that 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 LoP.” The decision took effect immediately, according to a local daily.
Mr. Wong said the move was necessary to uphold the rule of law and protect the dignity and integrity of Parliament. As a result, Singh will no longer enjoy the privileges attached to the role, including the right of first reply during debates, extended speaking time, and double the allowance of an elected MP.
The decision followed a motion approved by Parliament on January 14. The motion, moved by Leader of the House Indranee Rajah, stated that Singh’s conduct and conviction linked to former Workers’ Party MP Raeesah Khan’s false statement in Parliament in 2021 fell short of the standards expected of a Leader of the Opposition.
“I hope to receive their nomination soon, so that this important position in our parliamentary democracy will not remain vacant for too long,” Mr. Wong said.
He noted that during the January 14 debate, Singh said he accepted the court’s judgment but disagreed with the findings and maintained his innocence. “Singh is entitled to his personal views on the matter. But questions of guilt or innocence are determined through the impartial court process,” Mr. Wong said.
A district court convicted Singh on 2 counts of lying to a parliamentary committee, confirming the panel’s earlier findings. His appeal to the High Court was dismissed. “This legal outcome is final and conclusive — it must be respected, and given full effect in determining his suitability to continue as the LoP,” Mr. Wong added.
Singh, a 49-year-old Singaporean and secretary-general of the Workers’ Party, was convicted in February last year and fined S$14,000 ($10,700). Raeesah Khan resigned from Parliament in August 2021.
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