Remarks not aimed at judicial system: Pritam Singh responds to Edwin Tong & gives context

Workers’ Party (WP) leader Pritam Singh clarified that his comments about the “court of public opinion” were not directed at Singapore’s judicial system, its judges, or their independence.

In a Facebook post responding to Minister for Law Edwin Tong’s remarks, Singh added that his statement did not denigrate any of these institutions.

The exchange followed a Nov. 5 episode of CNA’s The Assembly, during which Singh was asked about his case involving lying to a parliamentary select committee.

"The court of public opinion can be a bigger court than any court in the world," Singh said, pointing to WP's performance in the recent general election.

Tong had called these remarks outrageous, wrong and unacceptable during a media doorstop at the sidelines of a People’s Association (PA) event on Nov. 8.

WP did well despite possible impact of court case

Tong had earlier noted that Singh appeared to suggest his case was politically motivated, describing such remarks as a form of “irresponsible politics” that should have no place in Singapore.

In response, Singh pointed out that the judgment in his ongoing magistrate’s appeal was released in February 2025, while the People’s Action Party (PAP) called for elections two months later, in April 2025.

Despite the possible impact of the court verdict on voters, Singh said the WP still performed respectably in the general election.

"This was the important context that came before the remarks I made about the court of public opinion on the CNA program," he explained.

"My remarks were not directed at the judicial system, judges or their independence, nor did it denigrate any of these institutions."

Singh has appealed against his conviction and sentence, and the judgment has been reserved for a later date.

Top photo from CNA's The Assembly