SINGAPORE — The prosecution has officially concluded its case against Pritam Singh, the Leader of the Opposition and chief of the Workers’ Party (WP), in a trial that has captivated the nation. The trial resumed on October 24, where intense discussions surrounding witness credibility and emerging evidence marked the proceedings, with the next hearing set for November 5.

In a significant development, the pivotal witness, Raeesah Khan, continues to be a focal point in the case, as the defence's attempt to discredit her testimony remains unresolved. Both parties must prepare written submissions addressing key events related to the allegations leveled against Singh, which revolve around claims of misleading a parliamentary committee concerning his conversations with Khan regarding her past false statements.

The Charges Against Singh

Pritam Singh faces two serious charges stemming from his alleged false testimony to the Committee of Privileges (COP). The crux of the prosecution's argument hinges on whether Singh sought to protect himself in the wake of Khan's false statements made in Parliament about a sensitive matter involving a sexual assault victim.

On August 3, 2021, Khan, then a Member of Parliament, made a controversial statement claiming she assisted a victim of sexual assault who faced insensitivity at a police station. This led to significant public backlash when, just two months later—on November 1, 2021—Khan admitted to fabricating her account.

The prosecution asserts that Singh misled the COP on two occasions: denying he instructed Khan to clarify her misrepresentation, and claiming he did not pressure her regarding her lie before parliament.

Key Witnesses and Testimonies

The trial has seen testimonies from four key witnesses: Raeesah Khan, former WP members Loh Pei Ying and Yudhishthra Nathan, and WP's former chief Low Thia Khiang. Khan's testimony spanned four days, where she painted a conflicting picture of her relationship with Singh, revealing that while she considered him a mentor in her early political days, she felt he at times suggested they should shield themselves from the truth.

Interestingly, Khan's other testimonies imply that Singh had dismissed the notion of her coming clean when she later attempted to admit her falsehoods. "It’s too late for that," she recalled Singh’s response after she expressed willingness to correct her statements in Parliament.

Notably, Loh Pei Ying confirmed that Singh had an opportunity to clarify the inaccuracies in Khan’s statements but did not do so, despite existing protocols that require transparency and accountability from elected officials.

The Defence’s Strategy

In a protracted rebuttal, Singh's legal team has sought to undermine the credibility of Khan and her witnesses, arguing that inconsistencies in their testimonies demonstrate collusion to align their statements against Singh. During cross-examination, Singh's lawyer asked Khan bluntly whether she was a habitual liar, to which she confirmed her previous lies.

The defence further pointed to a redacted message in which there appeared to be discussions about ensuring Khan’s misrepresentations were downplayed, illustrating a potential conspiracy among the witnesses. This line of questioning raises serious questions about the integrity of the testimonies presented so far.

What Lies Ahead?

As both sides gear up for their written submissions due by the end of October, the anticipation mounts regarding Singh's potential to take the stand and present his defense. Whether he chooses to testify could pivotally impact public perception and the outcome of this high-profile trial.

Consequently, with numerous implications for Singapore’s political landscape hinging on these hearings, all eyes will be trained on the November proceedings, which may shape not only Singh's political future but the broader context of accountability within Singapore's political framework. Will Singh manage to extricate himself from these allegations, or will the weight of evidence against him lead to significant fallout for the WP? Stay tuned!