Witnesses’ credibility in spotlight as WP chief appeals against conviction

The appeal launched by Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh was heard on Nov 4, with the defence arguing that the trial judge had “ignored crucial pieces of evidence” in convicting Singh of lying under oath to a parliamentary committee.

- Vanessa Paige Chelvan, Samuel Devaraj Correspondents and Gabrielle Chan

Workers' Party chief Pritam Singh arriving at the High Court for his appeal hearing on Nov 4. He had, in February, been convicted of two charges of lying to the Committee of Privileges, and was fined $14,000. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

(KELVIN CHNG)

High Court Justice Steven Chong, who reserved his judgment for a future date, said Singh’s appeal centred on findings made by the trial judge on two statements that the WP secretary-general had made during meetings with former MP Raeesah Khan on Aug 8 and Oct 3, 2021.

Singh had, on Feb 17, been convicted of two charges of lying to the Committee of Privileges (COP) about his role in advising Ms Khan to conceal an untruth to Parliament, and was fined $14,000.

Justice Chong said the first statement related to Singh asking Ms Khan to take her lie “to the grave” at the Aug 8 meeting. The Workers’ Party chief had consistently denied saying this.

The second statement was what Singh told Ms Khan at their Oct 3 meeting: “I will not judge you.” While the prosecution and defence agreed that Singh did say this, they disagree on what he meant.

The one-day hearing threw the spotlight on the credibility of witnesses who had testified during the earlier 13-day trial, including Singh himself, Ms Khan, and her two former WP aides.

'TAKE IT TO THE GRAVE'

Singh’s lawyer, Mr Andre Jumabhoy, began the hearing by calling into question Ms Khan’s credibility, arguing that she had provided different accounts of the Aug 8 meeting.

At the meeting, which took place at Singh’s house, Ms Khan had confessed her lie to the party’s leaders — Singh, WP chairwoman Sylvia Lim and vice-chairman Faisal Manap.

The then Sengkang MP had lied about accompanying a sexual assault victim to a police station, and later repeated the false claim before the House on Oct 4 the same year.