In a notable legal ruling, Singapore's opposition leader Pritam Singh has lost his appeal against a conviction of lying to a legislative panel.
In February, Singh was fined S$14,000 for two charges connected with his management of former lawmaker Raeesah Khan, who had admitted to giving false testimony in parliament.
During a short hearing before a full public gallery on Friday, the judge ruled that the evidence presented supported Singh's guilty verdict.
Singh, who leads the main political opposition, expressed that he was "disheartened" with the ruling but acknowledged it "fully and without reservation".
He settled his fines at the court complex following the hearing. "Might as well get it done," he commented to the press.
Notwithstanding the verdict, Singh keeps his seat in parliament and stated his commitment to continue serving Singaporeans alongside his colleagues.
The entire episode originated in 2021 when Raeesah Khan asserted in parliament that she had seen police act inappropriately towards a sexual assault victim.
She later admitted her account was untrue, but testified during a parliamentary committee investigation that party leaders, such as Singh, had advised her to "stick to the story" even though they were aware it was a lie.
Khan has since resigned from both the party and parliament. She was fined S$35,000 for lying and abusing her parliamentary privilege.
In February, the court determined that Singh's actions were "highly suggestive" that he did not want Khan to clarify her lie.
Singh, who protested his innocence throughout the trial, argued that he had wanted to allow Khan space to handle what was a delicate issue.
During the November court session, Singh's legal counsel contended that the lower court had "ignored crucial pieces of evidence" in its initial judgment.
The defense also sought to cast doubt on the reliability of Khan and her aides, who served as witnesses.
When asked why Singh appeared to be "taking no action" to have Khan confess in the weeks following his discovery of her lie, his lawyer explained that he had other urgent professional and personal matters to manage.
The state's attorneys, however, argued that Singh's lack of action, coupled with other evidence, proved he never wanted Khan to tell the truth.
Singh's case is significant as one of the very few criminal convictions against a sitting opposition lawmaker.
Observers have in the past alleged Singapore's government of leveraging the courts to pursue its political opponents—charges that the government have always rejected.
The Workers' Party is the sole rival group in Singapore's present legislature, where it holds 12 out of 99 seats.
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