WP chief Pritam Singh’s appeal: Judge to deliver verdict on Dec 4

Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh will learn on Dec 4 if his appeal against conviction on two charges of lying to the Committee of Privileges (COP) is successful.

- Shaffiq Alkhatib Court Correspondent

The appeal hearing was held on Nov 4, with lawyers for the Leader of the Opposition arguing that the trial judge had “ignored crucial pieces of evidence” in convicting Singh of lying under oath to a parliamentary committee.

Singh was convicted on Feb 17 and fined $14,000 for lying to the COP about the role that he had played in advising former MP Raeesah Khan to conceal an untruth to Parliament.

Deputy Principal District Judge Luke Tan ruled that Singh had wilfully lied to the COP about how he dealt with the untruth, with evidence showing that Singh “never wanted Ms Khan to clarify (her) lie” and had “direct and intimate involvement” in nudging her to continue to lie.

Singh’s appeal was heard in the High Court, with Justice Steven Chong presiding.

At the appeal hearing, defence lawyer Andre Jumabhoy called into question Ms Khan’s credibility, arguing that she had provided different accounts of a meeting that took place on Aug 8, 2021.