Pritam Singh 'disappointed' with appeal verdict, but 'respects & accepts judgment fully'

Workers' Party (WP) secretary-general Pritam Singh took responsibility for "taking too long" to respond to Raeesah Khan's lie in Parliament in 2021.

Addressing reporters at a doorstop after his appeal against his conviction for lying to the Committee of Privileges (COP) was dismissed on Dec. 4, 2025, Singh said,

"While I am disappointed with the verdict, I respect and accept the judgment fully and without reservation."

'This has been a long journey'

Singh's voice audibly cracked at several points as he spoke to reporters outside the Supreme Court, emphasising that it has been "a long journey".

"I certainly took too long to respond to Raeesah’s lie in Parliament. I take responsibility for that," he admitted.

Singh also thanked Singaporeans who have followed the matter closely for their support.

"I thank you for your generous reservoirs of goodwill, kindness and support. Your support reminds me of the importance of the work that we do and how important it is that your trust is not taken for granted."

Moving forward, Singh said his focus is now to continue serving Singaporeans and to speak up for them alongside the WP.

What went down at the hearing

During the appeal hearing, Singh initially indicated he would be appealing against the sentence of S$7,000 each for two charges under the Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act.

However, at the appeal hearing, Singh's lawyer Andre Jumabhoy indicated that they would be appealing the conviction itself.

Delivering his verdict on Dec. 4, Justice Steven Chong said he found the judge's decision to convict Singh on both charges supported by the evidence presented.

He said the appeal was conducted by both "very fairly" and "in the best traditions of the Bar".

As such, Chong dismissed Singh's appeal against his conviction.

The hearing was over in 10 minutes.

Singh was accompanied in court by lawyers Andre Jumabhoy, Aristotle Eng and his father Amarjit Singh.

WP Members of Parliament (MPs) Gerald Giam and Fadli Fawzi also turned up in support.

Singh was given seven days to pay the outstanding fine of S$14,000.

However, Singh did so on the day itself and was heard telling reporters at the payment station, "Might as well get it done."

Background

Singh went on trial for two charges relating to what he told the COP, which was set up to look into Raeesah and her untruth in parliament.

Here's a timeline of what happened from Aug. 3, 2021, to Singh's 13-day trial in 2024:

On Feb. 17, 2025, the judge convicted Singh on both charges under the Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act.

The first is for claiming that he wanted Raeesah to clarify her lie in parliament at some point.

The second is for telling the Committee of Privileges that he had advised Raeesah to come clean in parliament.

The judge found Singh guilty of falsely testifying to the COP that when he spoke to Raeesah on Oct. 3, 2021, he wanted her to admit to having lied to parliament on Aug. 3, 2021, about having accompanied a rape victim to a police station, if this issue were to come up in parliament on Oct 4, 2021.

Singh was given the maximum fine of S$7,000 for each charge.

Top image by Wu Xueting/Mothership