{"loaderData":{"0-25":{"context":{"type":0,"statusCode":200,"cacheControlMaxAge":60,"regenerateInterval":180,"payload":{"pageType":"live-blog-landing-page","results":[{"title":"","url":"","description":"","type":"live-coverage","refCode":"live:-pritam-singh-appeals-against-conviction,-sentence-for-lying-to-parliament","cards":[],"liveBlogData":{"htmlData":"

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Recap: Court’s decision on Pritam Singh’s appeal adjourned to a later date

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The defence hoped to convince the court that crucial evidence had been ignored, while the prosecution raised key pieces of corroborative evidence.

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Vihanya Rakshika, Aqil Hamzah, Chin Hui Shan, Gabrielle Chan, Samuel Devaraj, Nadine Chua

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Published: Nov 4, 2025

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Follow ST's live coverage.","ogDescription":"The defence hoped to convince the court that crucial evidence had been ignored, while the prosecution raised key pieces of corroborative evidence. Follow ST's live coverage.","jsonLd":"{\"@context\":\"https:\\/\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"LiveBlogPosting\",\"@id\":\"https:\\/\\/www.straitstimes.com\\/live-singapore-pritam-singh-appeal-hearing\",\"headline\":\"Live: Pritam Singh appeals against conviction, sentence for lying to parliamentary committee\",\"description\":\"WP chief Pritam Singh is appealing against his conviction and sentence for lying to a parliament committee in 2021. Follow ST's live coverage.\",\"coverageStartTime\":\"2025-11-04T10:00:00+08:00\",\"coverageEndTime\":\"2025-11-04T21:00:00+08:00\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/www.straitstimes.com\\/assets\\/ST-logo-default-aoeSLh4S.png\",\"width\":\"1228\",\"height\":\"96\"}},\"liveBlogUpdate\":[{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"A recap of today\\u2019s hearing \",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T16:52:59+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T16:54:22+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Thank you for following our live coverage today. As we wrap up this live blog, here are the key highlights from WP chief Pritam Singh\\u2019s appeal hearing:\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"vihanya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Prosecution delivers closing remarks\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T15:56:18+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T16:53:54+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Justice Chong returns at 3.52pm, and DAG Goh launches into his closing remarks after making some clarifications.\\u201cWe respectfully pray that the court dismisses this case in its entirety,\\u201d DAG Goh says in his brief comments. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"haqil\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Defence\\u2019s turn to make closing remarks\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T16:17:24+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T16:38:31+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Jumabhoy makes five points to recap Singh\\u2019s defence, including how the value of Ms Loh and Mr Nathan\\u2019s corroboration is limited.He adds that for the second charge against Singh, the words used were \\u201cwanted to convey\\u201d \\u2013 something that Singh intended to do.The fact that it was not conveyed does not mean Singh is guilty, Mr Jumabhoy says.READ MORE HERE \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"haqil\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Singh leaves Supreme Court building, does not take questions from media\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T16:25:20+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T16:28:24+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Singh is seen leaving the Supreme Court alone at about 4.18pm.Speaking to the media, he says he does not plan to make a statement or take questions because judgment has been reserved.\\u201cLet\\u2019s allow the court to review the submissions and the arguments that were made by the defence and, of course, the prosecution,\\u201d he says.Singh says he will comment only after judgment is made and thanks the media.PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"vihanya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Court\\u2019s decision adjourned to a later date\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T16:18:30+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T16:26:10+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Justice Chong thanks Mr Jumabhoy and DAG Goh and says that the court will reserve its judgment.\\u201cParties will be informed when the judgment is ready,\\u201d he says.The prosecution and defence teams shake hands before taking their leave.Court is adjourned to a later date, which is yet to be decided.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Court adjourns for 15 minutes\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T15:47:27+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T15:50:35+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The prosecution initially asks for a five-minute stand down before he makes his closing remarks.Mr Jumabhoy, however, asks for 15 minutes to avoid asking for another break later on.DAG Goh will make his closing remarks after the break, and the defence will then have the final right of reply.Following this, Justice Chong will either make his decision or adjourn it to another day.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"haqil\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"WP\\u2019s disciplinary panel proceedings irrelevant, says Justice Chong\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T15:43:00+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T15:45:34+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"DAG Goh brings up how the WP\\u2019s disciplinary panel proceedings corroborated Ms Khan\\u2019s account, but Justice Chong interjects to say that he is unsure \\u201chow and why the proceedings are relevant to the two charges\\u201d.When he says that it is difficult to understand how the proceedings are relevant, DAG Goh says omissions in its report imply there was something to hide.To this, Justice Chong says: \\u201cThey are a political party, so reputation is important\\u201d.He adds that omission of information does not necessarily mean the truth is being suppressed \\u2013 a point that DAG Goh concedes to when he says there is no need to rely on the disciplinary panel report and that there is other evidence. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"haqil\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Singh not calling Khan out doesn\\u2019t mean he instructed her to double down on her lie: Judge\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T15:40:40+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T15:40:40+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Justice Chong says the prosecution\\u2019s point that Singh did not stand up to clarify on Oct 4, 2021, when Ms Khan doubled down on her lie in Parliament, is not remarkable.\\u201cIt is not realistic to expect him to immediately react to say what she said was a lie,\\u201d he says.\\u201cThis can cut both ways, as the events subsequently demonstrate,\\u201d he adds.The judge notes that it is unrealistic to say that just because Singh did not stand up that day to clarify, it does not mean that doubling down is something he had told her to do.Justice Chong asks if that finding is impeachable, to which DAG Goh says it is not. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"vihanya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Prosecution raises 5 key pieces of corroborative evidence on second charge\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T15:30:43+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T15:30:43+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"DAG Goh provides five key pieces of corroborative evidence with reference to the second charge.This is for the charge on how Singh had falsely testified to the COP that when he spoke to Ms Khan on Oct 3, 2021, he had wanted to convey to her that she had to come clean about her lie if it came up in Parliament the next day.\\u201cI see you like the number five,\\u201d Justice Chong says.\\u201cYes, I do, just because there is so much evidence,\\u201d DAG Goh replies.The five key pieces of evidence are: \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"\\u2018I am not a trial judge\\u2019: Justice Chong to prosecution\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T15:16:39+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T15:16:39+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"DAG Goh repeatedly references court documents showing the transcript of Singh\\u2019s trial.In response, Justice Chong says: \\u201cIt may not be entirely helpful to refer to all these transcripts as though you were inviting me to make a finding.\\u201cI am not a trial judge.\\u201dHe adds that the prosecution should refer to what the district judge found and show how the findings are supported, \\u201cbecause I\\u2019m not quite understanding what you\\u2019re saying\\u201d. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"haqil\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Presiding judge raises questions with prosecution\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T15:12:08+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T15:12:27+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"As DAG Goh continues presenting the prosecution\\u2019s case, Justice Chong raises several questions, at times interrupting him.In one line of questioning, Justice Chong says the charge is not that Singh told Ms Khan to clarify the truth after their Aug 8, 2021, meeting, but that Singh wanted her to do so at some point in time. He says that DAG Goh\\u2019s point that Singh did not tell Ms Loh or Mr Nathan that he had informed Ms Khan to tell the truth has no relevance.When DAG Goh brings up former WP chief Low Thia Khiang\\u2019s unchallenged evidence, Justice Chong asks: \\u201cWhat is your point?\\u201dDAG Goh replies: \\u201cMy point is that Mr Low\\u2019s unchallenged evidence reveals that Pritam never had the intention for Raeesah Khan to clarify the lie in Parliament.\\u201d \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"haqil\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Lack of follow-up from Pritam shows there was nothing to follow up: Prosecution \",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T15:06:57+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T15:10:35+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"DAG Goh says it is undisputed that Singh never followed up with Ms Khan between Aug 8 and Oct 3, 2021.\\u201cIt was Pritam\\u2019s failure to follow up with Khan even once,\\u201d he says. \\u201cThis radio silence speaks volumes.\\u201dEarlier, Mr Jumabhoy had said that Singh was busy during that period with issues such as the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (Fica), as well as personal matters pertaining to his children.\\u201cWas he so busy with the Fica matters that he could not raise this important point, a politically important point, to Ms Khan?\\u201d DAG Goh says.\\u201cThe point is that if there were something to follow up from the Aug 8, 2021, meeting, Pritam has shown himself very able and willing to follow up,\\u201d he adds.DAG Goh was referring to Singh\\u2019s advice to Ms Khan on how to handle reactions from the Muslim community to her speech on female genital mutilation.But the fact that he did not follow up on Ms Khan\\u2019s lie must lead to the natural inference that there was nothing to follow up at all, DAG Goh adds.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Prosecution raises 5 key evidence that corroborate with Khan\\u2019s account of Aug 8 meeting\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T14:59:42+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T15:07:24+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"DAG Goh notes that the defence\\u2019s case is that there was a conspiracy among Ms Khan, Mr Nathan and Ms Loh, in that there was a plot to bury the lie.He questions the fact that the defence did not raise the issue during the trial.DAG Goh adds that there is no reason for Ms Khan to lie to Mr Nathan and Ms Loh in the WhatsApp message about Singh asking her to take the lie to the grave, given that she knew they had access to Singh and could tell him.He mentions that five key evidence fully corroborate with Ms Khan\\u2019s account of what transpired on Aug 8, 2021, including Ms Khan\\u2019s \\u201cgrave\\u201d text message, Ms Loh and Mr Nathan\\u2019s testimony, Singh\\u2019s inaction to raise Ms Khan\\u2019s anecdote to Ms Loh and Mr Nathan after the Aug 10, 2021, meeting until Oct 5, 2021, and Mr Low\\u2019s unchallenged evidence on the meeting with Ms Lim.In response, Justice Chong brings back DAG Goh\\u2019s mention of Ms Khan\\u2019s evidence that corroborated with what Mr Nathan and Ms Loh said on Aug 10.When looking at the evidence in connection with the issue, the judge says, \\u201cit seems to me that it might be unsafe to attach weight to Ms Loh and Mr Nathan\\u2019s words, especially given their own submission that their recollection was fuzzy\\u201d. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"vihanya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Prosecution begins by addressing the way Singh\\u2019s second charge was framed\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T14:35:12+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T14:45:49+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Earlier, before the session was adjourned, Justice Chong asked the prosecution why Singh\\u2019s second charge was framed the way it was.The charge was on how he had falsely testified to the COP that when he spoke to Ms Khan on Oct 3, 2021, he had wanted to convey to her that she had to come clean about her lie if it came up in Parliament the next day.In his brief response to this, DAG Goh says that it was the \\u201cmost direct\\u201d way.Having read the COP testimonies, DAG Goh says that this was the best way of framing the charge and notes that Singh has never complained about this. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Singh\\u2019s testimony previously was \\u2018incoherent, inconsistent\\u2019: Prosecution\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T14:41:14+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T14:45:33+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Singh has not addressed two key points that underlie his case quite severely, DAG Goh says.He adds that the prosecution will show that in line with the two questions about \\u201ctake it to the grave\\u201d and \\u201cI will not judge you\\u201d that they have proven their case beyond reasonable doubt.The judge says the issue of Ms Khan, Ms Loh and Mr Nathan\\u2019s credibility should be addressed together with that.DAG Goh provides a table to the court, which lists eight instances where the district judge presiding over Singh\\u2019s trial found his testimony was \\u201cincoherent (and) inconsistent to affect his general credibility\\u201d.Justice Chong, however, says the general submission attacking Singh\\u2019s credibility in a vacuum \\u201cis not particularly appealing\\u201d, going so far as to say he does not find it useful.He tells the prosecution to reframe their submission, \\u201cinstead of saying he lied on eight occasions so everything he said is a lie\\u201d.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"haqil\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Court resumes session\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T14:17:42+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T14:21:08+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Singh returns to court at 2.12pm, and the judge enters the courtroom at 2.15pm.The prosecution begins speaking. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"haqil\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Singh returns to Supreme Court \",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T14:07:41+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T14:11:33+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"At around 2.02pm, Singh is seen making his way back to the Supreme Court with his team.Court is expected to resume at 2.15pm.ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"vihanya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Defence asked to clarify Singh\\u2019s view on not addressing lie if not mentioned in Parliament\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T12:12:08+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T14:06:13+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Justice Chong says he is of the impression that Singh\\u2019s view, right up till Oct 12, 2021, was that Ms Khan need not say anything about the lie if the matter was not raised in Parliament.\\u201cThese are views expressed by one party leader that (the lie) may not be raised again because the Government does not appear to know about the untruth,\\u201d he says.He asks if Singh had said he did not think it was the right thing to do, but Mr Jumabhoy says what was said was slightly different.Justice Chong goes on to say that Ms Khan said on Oct 11, 2021, that she did not think the Government knew about her lie.Mr Jumabhoy says: \\u201cIt\\u2019s not that they wouldn\\u2019t know, it is that they wouldn\\u2019t be able to find out.\\u201dHowever, the judge notes that there was a change in the dynamic in dealing with the untruth after Oct 11, 2021.ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"vihanya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Defence asked to address Singh\\u2019s lack of action during \\u2018critical\\u2019 8-week period\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T11:28:17+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T13:57:06+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Justice Chong asks the defence to address the court on Singh \\u201cdoing nothing\\u201d after the meeting at his house on Aug 8, 2021.The judge says that if Singh had taken the position that Ms Khan had to come clean at some point, steps would have been taken to plan how the untruth would need to be clarified. Yet no action was taken during the \\u201ccritical\\u201d eight weeks between Aug 8 and Oct 3, 2021, he adds.Singh and his wife visited Ms Khan at her home on Oct 3, 2021, the day before Parliament sat and when she was pressed for details of the incident and later repeated her lie.The judge asks if this behaviour is consistent with someone who wanted the truth to be clarified, or someone who was prepared to let the lie be buried.Defence lawyer Jumabhoy states that Singh said Ms Khan\\u2019s lie was an \\u201cearth-shattering discovery\\u201d and \\u201cinvolved an incident of significant personal detriment (to the party)\\u201d. He notes that Singh wanted to give Ms Khan time to settle herself before going to Parliament. At the same time, WP had interest in the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act, which was tabled for the first time, he says.The second reading for the act was slated for Oct 4, 2021, and WP had planned to object to it, he adds.Mr Jumabhoy goes on to say that Singh had other issues, including personal matters pertaining to his children, that he was dealing with during that period.He says Singh's position was that he was busy and he lost sight of the matter. \\\"You've explained one part of it,\\\" Justice Chong says.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"vihanya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Singh was consistent in saying Raeesah Khan has to \\u2018clarify the lie\\u2019: Defence \",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T10:49:50+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T13:48:07+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Defence lawyer Jumabhoy argues that Singh was consistent with what was said during the meeting at his house on Aug 8, 2021, among Ms Khan (above), WP chairwoman Sylvia Lim, vice-chairman Faisal Manap and himself \\u2013 which is that at some point Ms Khan \\u201cwould need to clarify the lie\\u201d.Mr Jumabhoy says that the first time Ms Khan alleged she was told to \\u201ctake the lie to the grave\\u201d was during that meeting. But there were then two other different accounts by Ms Khan of the meeting given to the COP.The judge notes that the fact that Ms Khan might not have used the phrase \\u201ctake it to the grave\\u201d consistently in the three versions does not mean it was not said.He calls on the defence to clarify how the inaccuracies retrospectively affect the authenticity of the statement made on Aug 8, 2021. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ng Huiwen\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"A recap of today\\u2019s hearing so far\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T12:50:48+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T12:50:48+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The morning session for Singh\\u2019s appeal against his conviction and sentence for lying to a parliamentary committee lasted 2\\u00bd hours.Before we return at 2.15pm, here is a quick recap of the key points made so far:The court saw an exchange between Justice Steven Chong and defence lawyer Andre Jumabhoy that hinged on two key phrases: Singh allegedly asking Ms Raeesah Khan to take a lie she mentioned in Parliament \\u201cto the grave\\u201d, and him telling her \\u201cI won\\u2019t judge you\\u201d with regard to clarifying the untruth.Mr Jumabhoy argued that Singh was consistent in his position that Ms Khan would need to clarify her lie and that he did not ask her to take her lie to the grave.He also highlighted that Singh saying he would not judge Ms Khan did not mean that he would not judge her for continuing to lie. He added that there are alternative explanations to what he meant.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"vihanya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Court adjourned until 2.15pm\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T12:41:09+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T12:46:18+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"On the second charge, Justice Chong says Singh\\u2019s evidence appears to be centred around him conveying to Ms Khan that she needed to clarify her lie in Parliament if it was brought up, rather than him wanting to convey it to her.He says to the prosecution: \\u201cWhen you choose those words \\u2013 \\u2018you wanted to\\u2019 \\u2013 it suggests what your intention was, but it was actually not conveyed. Would that be a fair interpretation?\\u201d The prosecution replies that it is not.The judge adds that this is a point he wants the prosecution to address when court resumes at 2.15pm.After leaving the Supreme Court at 12.31pm, Singh is seen walking towards the Parliament building, where a session is ongoing.Follow our Parliament live blog hereST PHOTO: JASON QUAH\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"haqil\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Defence brings up issue of credibility, says Pritam was at \\u2018significant disadvantage\\u2019 during cross-examination\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T12:38:32+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T12:38:32+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Following the interjection, Mr Jumabhoy takes issue with the credibility of the prosecution witnesses, stating that there was a \\u201chuge difference\\u201d in how they and Singh were treated during the trial.The witnesses were allowed to read the statements before the cross-examination, he adds.\\u201cBut Pritam is at a significant disadvantage because he could only see the statements during the cross-examination,\\u201d he says.In return, Justice Chong says that this is part of the procedure. \\u201cIt\\u2019s a subject of completely different discussion,\\u201d he says.On the meeting Ms Loh and Mr Nathan had on Aug 10, 2021, with Singh, Mr Jumabhoy says that both of them have added a new recollection about this new meeting at the court.\\u201cTheir whole credibility needs to be looked at as a whole. There is ample evidence for that to be done,\\u201d he says. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Defence begins rounding up, gets cut off by judge\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T12:28:19+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T12:28:19+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Jumabhoy attempts to round off his remarks on the issue of credibility when court resumes after a five-minute break.\\u201cIt is impossible to rebut a negative, or to prove a negative,\\u201d he says, before being interrupted by Justice Chong, who says the \\u201ccase isn\\u2019t about proving a negative\\u201d.The judge says: \\u201cIf he (Singh) did say take it to the grave, it would follow that what he told the Committee of Privileges can\\u2019t be true.\\u201dMr Jumabhoy retorts that this only applies to that statement. In relation to Singh saying \\u201cI will not judge you\\u201d, he says there are alternative explanations as to what he meant. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"haqil\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Defence accuses Raeesah Khan\\u2019s aides of telling her to continue lying in redacted messages \",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T12:14:30+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T12:14:30+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Jumabhoy requests for text messages between Ms Khan, Ms Low and Mr Nathan to be shown before the court.Messages from Oct 4, 2021, and Oct 12, 2021, are brought up, with the defence lawyer pointing out how redactions were made with false justifications given.\\u201cThey were redacted because they were telling her to continue to lie, not to come clean.\\u201dCiting an example, Mr Jumabhoy says there was a redacted message by Mr Nathan that followed Ms Khan saying she will follow Singh and Ms Lim\\u2019s suggested course of action and go public with her own experience as a victim of sexual assault.The reason behind redacting the message was that it was irrelevant and mentioned another MP.But the actual message said: \\u201cIn the first place, we should just not give too many details. At most, apologise for not having the facts about her age accurate.\\u201d\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ng Huiwen\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Debate over \\u2018I will not judge you\\u2019 statement\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T11:50:17+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T11:54:32+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Justice Chong and Mr Jumabhoy debate over the context of how \\u201cI will not judge you\\u201d is used.Singh\\u2019s second charge was on how he had falsely testified to the COP that when he spoke to Ms Khan on Oct 3, 2021, he had wanted to convey to her that she had to come clean about her lie if it came up in Parliament the next day.Singh had acknowledged that he had said \\u201cI will not judge you\\u201d, but disputed the context in which the phrase was used.The judge says Singh had told Ms Khan \\u201cLook at the choice you made\\u201d, after Ms Khan repeated the lie in Parliament on Oct 4.Justice Chong asks: \\u201cHow do you explain the choice of the word \\u2018choice\\u2019?\\u201dMr Jumabhoy replies that Singh was expressing frustration at what Ms Khan had decided to do. \\u201cHe was frustrated because it was inconsistent with what he told her on Oct 3.\\u201dHe adds that the expression \\u201cI will not judge you\\u201d takes into account \\u201cresponsibility\\u201d.In return, Justice Chong says the expression is not uncommon.He says: \\u201cTypically, you will say that the person is doing something that is not quite right. It will be odd to say \\u2018I will not judge you\\u2019 when the context is that the person is going to do the right thing. That is how I would objectively judge those words.\\u201dMr Jumabhoy replies: \\u201cIt\\u2019s not quite as clear-cut as your Honour made it seem. It could be either way.\\u201d\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Singh passes defence lawyers a note\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T11:33:50+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T11:49:23+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Slightly over an hour since the hearing began, Singh, who is seated behind his lawyers, taps Mr Aristotle Eng on the shoulder and passes him a note.Mr Eng passes that note to Mr Jumabhoy, who then apologises for the pause as he looks at the note.The content of the note is not revealed.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"vihanya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Justice Chong issues reminder that \\u2018this is an appeal\\u2019, says defence is \\u2018digressing\\u2019\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T11:29:24+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T11:34:16+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Jumabhoy explains why there was an almost two-month gap between Aug 8, 2021, when Ms Khan confessed her lie to her party\\u2019s leaders, and Oct 3, 2021, when Singh visited Ms Khan at home and the issue next arose.\\u201cThis is an appeal,\\u201d says Justice Chong to Mr Jumabhoy, reminding him that the defence lawyer\\u2019s task is to persuade him that the findings by Deputy Principal District Judge Luke Tan \\u2013 who convicted Singh \\u2013 do not hold up against the evidence.\\u201cI don\\u2019t need to make those findings... You would have to persuade me that the district judge is wrong,\\u201d Justice Chong adds.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"haqil\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Judge addresses defence\\u2019s point on Raeesah Khan\\u2019s inconsistencies\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T11:18:59+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T11:18:59+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Justice Chong says when a witness sometimes recites the same evidence repeatedly, judges sometimes hold it against the witness for parroting a statement.\\u201cWhen a witness says something not entirely consistent, not entirely inconsistent either, it is for the judge to decide how that would impact the witnesses\\u2019 overall credibility,\\u201d he says.\\u201cThat\\u2019s the function of the judge.\\u201dBut Justice Chong adds that he does not have that privilege to have the witnesses before him and has to look at it based on the transcripts given.\\u201cThe question before me is whether the differences were a material that I should doubt Ms Raeesah Khan\\u2019s credibility and find that the messages to her aides were entirely false,\\u201d he says.Mr Jumabhoy says that there are differences across her messages and testimonies. The differences refer to what Ms Khan said at different points of time.He says: \\u201cEveryone can see that there are differences, and to pretend that there\\u2019s no difference, does a disservice.\\u201dBut the judge says the defence cannot ignore the text message that was sent to Ms Loh and Mr Nathan immediately after the Aug 8, 2021, meeting. The defence\\u2019s case must be that she lied to her two aides, he adds.In response, Mr Jumabhoy says: \\u201cI won\\u2019t go so far to say that. What they wanted to do or what Ms Khan wanted to do was to spare herself the national embarrassment to come out and say that she lied. That would be a reasonable position for her to take for her self-preservation. What we take issue with is subsequently she takes the position to say: \\u2018This is why I lied\\u2019.\\u201d \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Defence paints Raeesah Khan and aides as inconsistent, possibly conspiring\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T10:59:11+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T11:18:28+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Jumabhoy attempts to characterise Ms Khan and her aides as inconsistent witnesses.Making reference to a text message she had sent her aides Loh Pei Ying and Yudhishthra Nathan (above) on Aug 8, 2021, which elicited no response, he notes that it is \\u201cinteresting\\u201d that the trio had a Zoom meeting the day before.The message, which discussed taking \\u201cthe information to the grave\\u201d, was registered by Ms Loh only in November that year, she had testified in court.But before Ms Khan\\u2019s meeting with Singh on Aug 8, Ms Loh had texted her about whether she intended to come clean.In response, Justice Chong says: \\u201cConspiracy requires the act of more than one person.\\u201cYour case theory is three people. You did not put it to Ms Loh and Mr Nathan that they were part of this conspiracy, that\\u2019s a huge omission.\\u201d\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"haqil\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"\\u2018Judge ignored crucial pieces of evidence\\u2019: Pritam Singh\\u2019s defence lawyer\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T10:10:53+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T10:13:18+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"In his opening statement, Mr Jumabhoy says the defence hopes to persuade Justice Chong that the previous judge who convicted Singh had \\u201cignored crucial pieces of evidence\\u201d.Court papers presented by the defence point to two critical statements.The prosecution\\u2019s case is that Singh told Ms Khan: \\u201cThis is something probably to take it to the grave.\\u201d Singh has denied saying this.The second statement: \\u201cI will not judge you,\\u201d was interpreted by the prosecution as meaning that Singh would not judge Ms Khan for continuing with the lie.The defence however says that Singh had meant he would not judge Ms Khan if she had taken ownership or responsibility for her lie. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"haqil\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"14 queue tickets given out as at 8.40am\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T08:45:46+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T10:03:55+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"As at 8.40am, 14 queue tickets have been issued, out of about 30 in total to be given out.Members of the media are seen outside the Supreme Court. ST PHOTOS: JASON QUAH\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"vihanya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"The hearing begins, proceedings kick off \",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T10:01:38+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T10:02:00+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Just before 10am, Justice Steven Chong enters the courtroom. The courtroom doors are closed. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Pritam Singh arrives at court\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T09:34:59+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T10:01:31+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh arrives at the Supreme Court.Decked in a blue shirt and suit, he is flanked by his lawyers Andre Jumabhoy and Aristotle Eng.When asked by the media how he is feeling, Singh says: \\u201cSame way I feel every morning, which is great.\\u201dThey enter the Supreme Court shortly after.ST PHOTOS: KELVIN CHNG, JASON QUAH\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Hearing about to begin\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T09:43:45+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T09:43:45+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"At about 9.40am, 20 minutes before the hearing is set to begin, Singh and his lawyers arrive in the courtroom.The prosecution, including Deputy Attorney-General Goh Yihan, took their place earlier.Singh\\u2019s lawyer Andre Jumabhoy shakes hands with the prosecution team and they exchange greetings. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"What can we expect today? \",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T09:30:07+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T09:30:07+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Having submitted their written arguments beforehand, Singh\\u2019s lawyers Andre Jumabhoy and Aristotle Eng will elaborate on their key points for his acquittal.The arguments will then be countered by the prosecution team, which includes Deputy Attorney-General Goh Yihan.At any time during this exchange, Justice Steven Chong can ask both parties for clarification or more information.Singh\\u2019s lawyers, who have the final right of reply, will close out the hearing, and the judge may then adjourn to deliberate on the verdict. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Overview of the trial\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T09:13:15+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T09:27:11+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Singh was charged under the Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act in March 2024, more than two years after the COP\\u2019s report said he had not been truthful in his testimony while under oath.The judge ruled on Feb 17 that Singh had \\u201cwilfully\\u201d lied to the COP about how he dealt with the untruth Ms Khan told in Parliament on Aug 3, 2021.While the judge accepted that Singh did not initiate the lie Ms Khan told to Parliament, he found that the WP chief did nudge her to continue the lie on Oct 4, 2021.Singh\\u2019s lawyers \\u2013 Mr Andre Jumabhoy and Mr Aristotle Eng \\u2013 sought to paint Ms Khan as a habitual liar during her cross-examination on Oct 15, 2024.But the prosecution, which included then Deputy Attorney-General Ang Cheng Hock, argued that Singh tried to cover up his involvement in Ms Khan\\u2019s lie to Parliament.READ MORE: 13 days, 13 phrases: How the Pritam trial unfoldedST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"vihanya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"What happened after the February verdict?\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T09:20:02+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T09:20:02+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Singh ran in the 2025 General Election, contesting in Aljunied GRC, where he has been an MP for the past 14 years.He was able to run for election as the sentence imposed on him \\u2013 $7,000 for each charge \\u2013 did not meet the disqualification threshold.An MP is disqualified only if the sentence for a single offence exceeds a years\\u2019 jail or a $10,000 fine.Singh led a five-member team in Aljunied GRC to secure 59.68 per cent of the votes, against the PAP\\u2019s 40.32 per cent.Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said that Singh will remain the Leader of the Opposition. This accords him certain parliamentary privileges, such as the right of first response among MPs, as well as staff and resources.READ MORE HEREST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"haqil\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"What is Pritam Singh appealing?\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T08:50:05+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T09:19:01+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Following a 13-day trial, the court found Singh guilty of two charges of lying under oath when he gave false testimonies to a Committee of Privileges (COP) on Dec 10 and 15 in 2021.The committee had been convened to carry out an inquiry into former WP MP Raeesah Khan, who in August 2021 lied about accompanying a sexual assault victim to a police station and in October 2021 repeated the false claim before the House.Singh was fined a total of $14,000 \\u2013 $7,000 for each charge \\u2013 the maximum allowed under the law.He had previously announced to reporters outside the State Courts his intention to appeal against the conviction and the sentence.READ MORE HERE \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"haqil\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Good morning\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T08:34:02+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T08:45:56+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"All eyes are once again on the courts as WP chief Pritam Singh returns. The Leader of the Opposition is set to appeal against the conviction and sentence meted out to him in February for lying to a parliamentary committee.His appeal will be heard by Justice Steven Chong at 10am.Stay with us as we bring you the latest updates as they unfold. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"vihanya\"}}]}","keywords":"Pritam, Pritam Singh, Pritam trial, appeal hearing, conviction appeal, Singapore, Raeesah Khan, Parliament, Workers’ Party, WP chief, Opposition, Singapore, court","robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1"},"gaData":{"level2":"23","chapter1":"","chapter2":"","title":"Live:_Pritam_Singh_appeals_against_conviction,_sentence_for_lying_to_Parliament","title_ga":"Live: Pritam Singh appeals against conviction, sentence for lying to Parliament","pagination":"1","contenttype":"live blog"}},"dependentPaths":[]}}},"actionData":null,"errors":null}