Leadership Shakeup in Singapore: Opposition Leader Stripped of Title

Thu Jan 15 2026 13:00:06 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Pritam Singh, Singapore's first ever Leader of the Opposition, has been removed from his position following a parliamentary conviction for lying under oath. Here's what you need to know about the case and its implications.

Pritam Singh, the Leader of the Opposition in Singapore, has lost his title after being convicted of lying under oath. Despite maintaining his innocence and still being an MP, he will miss various parliamentary privileges. The ruling came after a parliamentary vote and reflects ongoing tensions in Singapore's political landscape.

Pritam Singh, Singapore's Leader of the Opposition in parliament, has been stripped of his title by the prime minister following a vote by lawmakers. The vote took place on Wednesday in a parliament overwhelmingly dominated by the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).

This decision follows Singh's conviction for lying under oath to a parliamentary committee, a claim he has consistently denied. While Singh remains a member of parliament and the secretary-general of the Workers' Party (WP), he will lose privileges such as additional allowances and the right of first reply during parliamentary debates.

Singh's conviction is notable as it marks one of the few criminal convictions against a sitting opposition lawmaker. Criticism arises against the government, which some claim uses the judiciary to target political opponents, a charge authorities deny.

During the parliamentary debate, Indranee Rajah, the Leader of the House, mentioned that Singh's lies “strike at the trust” of the public in parliament and stated he failed to take responsibility. Singh defended himself, asserting his innocence and expressed his intention to continue his duties.

After three hours of deliberation, the motion to remove Singh passed, with all 11 present WP members voting against it. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong remarked that it was “no longer tenable” for Singh to keep his position as the Leader of the Opposition and invited the WP to nominate a new leader.

The Workers' Party holds 12 of the 108 seats in Singapore's parliament and stated it will review the situation and respond accordingly. Singh's case traces back to comments made by another WP lawmaker, Raeesah Khan, who admitted to fabricating a story about police misconduct. Singh was implicated for lying in relation to that narrative.