{"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":"recap:-pritam-singh-loses-appeal-against-conviction","cards":[],"liveBlogData":{"htmlData":"

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Recap: Pritam Singh loses appeal against conviction

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He says he is “disappointed” with the verdict but accepts the judgment without reservation.

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BNB Diviyadhaarshini, Ian Cheng, Chin Hui Shan, Esther Loi, Christine Tan, Gabrielle Chan

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Published: Dec 4, 2025

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Follow ST's live coverage.","jsonLd":"{\"@context\":\"https:\\/\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"LiveBlogPosting\",\"@id\":\"https:\\/\\/www.straitstimes.com\\/live-singapore-pritam-singh-appeal-verdict\",\"headline\":\"Live: Pritam Singh to hear verdict on appeal against conviction\",\"description\":\"WP chief Pritam Singh will hear the verdict on his appeal against his conviction for lying to a parliamentary committee in 2021. Follow ST's live coverage.\",\"coverageStartTime\":\"2025-12-04T07:00:00+08:00\",\"coverageEndTime\":\"2025-12-04T23:30:00+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\":\"Recap: Judge dismisses Pritam\\u2019s appeal\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-04T11:37:54+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-04T12:49:33+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Thank you for following our live coverage today.Here are the key highlights from today's hearing:Justice Steven Chong dismisses Singh's appeal against his conviction for lying to the Committee of Privileges.While he has seven days to pay the outstanding fines, totalling $14,000, he pays his fine immediately after the hearing. \\u201cMight as well get it done,\\u201d he tells reporters.In his remarks to the media outside the court after the hearing, Singh says he is disappointed with the verdict, but accepts the judgment \\u201cfully and without reservation\\u201d.Singh says his focus is to continue serving Singaporeans and to speak up for them, alongside his Workers' Party colleagues.Asked outside the court about a previous comment he made about political opponents trying to lower the public\\u2019s respect for him and his party, Singh says political differences \\u201cdo not extend to tearing the system down and questioning or impugning the integrity of the courts or even civil servants\\u201d.READ MORE HERE\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ian Cheng\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Pritam disappointed with verdict, but accepts judgment \\u2018fully and without reservation\\u2019\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-04T10:15:09+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-04T11:51:53+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"At the media doorstop, Singh says he is \\u201cdisappointed\\u201d with the verdict but accepts the judgement without reservation.He adds that the Supreme Court is a vital pillar of Singapore\\u2019s constitutional framework, and that he has deep respect for the independence, rigour and professionalism of the courts.\\u201cSome of you would have followed this matter for some time. I certainly took too long to respond to Raeesah\\u2019s lie in Parliament. I take responsibility for that,\\u201d he says.\\u201cThis has been a long journey. Throughout it all, I have done my best to act with sincerity and fulfill my responsibilities to Parliament, and to Singaporeans. My commitment in that regard remains unchanged,\\u201d he says.His focus is to continue serving Singaporeans and to speak up for them, alongside his Workers' Party colleagues, he says.\\u201cYour 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,\\u201d he adds.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"The main issues on Singh\\u2019s appeal \",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-04T11:36:00+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-04T11:42:39+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Deputy Principal District Judge Luke Tan had ruled in February 2025 that Singh did tell Ms Raeesah Khan to take her lie to the grave. Singh had disputed that he made this statement.He also ruled that Singh\\u2019s statement of \\u201cI will not judge you\\u201d meant he would not judge Ms Khan for maintaining the lie. Singh had claimed that he meant that he would not judge Ms Khan for owning up to the truth. He also said the phrase \\u201cI will not judge you\\u201d is vague and open to multiple interpretations.In his written judgment for the appeal hearing, Justice Steven Chong said the main issue was whether the district judge erred in his ruling.Ms Khan\\u2019s testimony was corroborated by \\u201chighly relevant circumstantial evidence\\u201d that proves the prosecution\\u2019s case that Singh told her to \\u201ctake (her lie) to the grave\\u201d, Justice Chong said. This evidence includes Ms Khan\\u2019s text messages to her aides, as well as Singh\\u2019s inaction after the Aug 8 meeting.On the meaning of \\u201cI will not judge you\\u201d, Justice Chong noted that both Singh and Ms Khan had acknowledged during cross-examination that the statement was not vague when read in context.Justice Chong also noted that the word \\u201cjudgment\\u201d carries a pejorative connotation of disapprobation, and that a person who does the right thing needs no reassurance against receiving \\u201cjudgment\\u201d.\\u201cTherefore, ordinarily speaking, the (statement) would be said in a situation where the statement-maker is reassuring the recipient that she will not be judged \\u2018negatively\\u2019, should she decide to do something objectionable like maintaining a lie,\\u201d he said.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"diviya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Judge dismisses the defence argument on charges being \\u2018defective\\u2019\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-04T11:11:22+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-04T11:11:22+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"During the 13-day trial in 2024, Singh\\u2019s lawyers called the prosecution\\u2019s charges defective, arguing that they did not identify the specific question posed by the Committee of Privileges that Singh gave a false answer to.In particular, Mr Andre Jumabhoy said Singh did not use the words Ms Khan said he uttered to her after she lied in Parliament, which were to \\u201ctake it to the grave\\u201d and to \\u201ccontinue the narrative\\u201d.But in his written judgment on Dec 4, Justice Chong said that \\u201cwhile (Singh) had used different terms at different junctures of his testimony, all of his answers spoke with one voice\\u201d.The judge noted that Mr Jumabhoy\\u2019s concern was that the prosecution\\u2019s approach allowed for the \\u201ccherry-picking of various portions of (Singh\\u2019s) COP evidence, amalgamating them, and asserting the purported answer that is to be inferred from this mishmash of statements is false\\u201d.But each of Singh\\u2019s exchanges with the COP independently convey the same false answer, which grounds the charge, he noted.\\u201cWhere multiple false answers are given, those multiple answers could be the subject of a single charge where those multiple answers are in substance the same. This would be so even if the multiple false answers are not identical,\\u201d he wrote. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Political differences with opponents do not extend to tearing the system down: Pritam\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-04T10:41:27+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-04T10:54:06+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Singh answers a total of three questions outside the Supreme Court, including ST's question on his comment in a CNA programme.Broadcast after his appeal hearing, he said in the programme that his political opponents \\\"will do whatever it takes to lower my esteem and the esteem of my party in the public eye\\\".In response to ST\\u2019s question, Singh says that as an opposition MP, he will have political differences with his opponents, \\\"but those differences do not extend to tearing the system down and questioning or impugning the integrity of the courts or even civil servants\\\".\\\"That cannot be how we conduct opposition politics in Singapore,\\\" he says, reiterating that he accepts and respects the judgment.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ian Cheng\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Justice Steven Chong delivers his judgment\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-04T09:52:32+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-04T10:34:17+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Justice Steven Chong is delivering his opening remarks. He says that he found that the judges\\u2019 decision to convict Singh on both charges is supported by the evidence presented.Justice Chong thanked both prosecution and defence for their submissions and noted that the appeal was conducted \\u201cvery fairly\\u201d and \\u201cin the best traditions of the Bar\\u201d.If Singh did indeed make the \\u201ctake it to the grave\\u201d statement, Justice Chong said Singh could not have logically intended for Ms Khan to clarify the untruth at some point in future. The meaning of that statement is diametrically opposed to telling the truth, he said.Justice Chong said that Singh was confronted with an inconvenient truth and was hoping that he would not have to deal with it. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"\\u2018Might as well get it done\\u2019: Singh pays fine\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-04T10:06:46+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-04T10:18:44+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Singh is paying his fine now, looking calm and composed.\\\"Might as well get it done,\\\" he tells reporters at the payment station.He is accompanied by lawyers Andre Jumabhoy, Aristotle Eng and his father Amarjit Singh.Singh is waiting for the court staff member to hand him his receipt, and looks to be in good spirits as he converses with his lawyers. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ian Cheng\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Singh has seven days to pay fines\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-04T10:00:48+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-04T10:05:28+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Singh has seven days to pay the outstanding fines of $14,000, said Judge Steven Chong.Singh speaks briefly with his lawyer Andre Jumabhoy before leaving the courtroom.The media outside the Supreme Court are setting up microphone stands for an interview.Singh has taken a queue number for the Service Hub. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"diviya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Pritam's appeal dismissed, sentence upheld\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-04T09:53:33+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-04T10:02:41+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"High Court Justice Steven Chong dismisses Workers\\u2019 Party chief Pritam Singh's appeal against his conviction on two charges of lying to the Committee of Privileges (COP).The Leader of the Opposition will be fined a total of $14,000 \\u2013 the maximum of $7,000 for each of his two charges.Singh was convicted on Feb 17 and fined $14,000 following a 13-day trial. The court found him guilty of two charges of lying under oath when he gave false testimonies to a COP on Dec 10 and Dec 15, 2021.Singh is the first sitting opposition MP to be convicted of a criminal charge in almost 40 years.The hearing concludes in less than 10 minutes.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ian Cheng\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Pritam Singh arrives in Court \",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-04T09:35:29+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-04T09:50:42+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Workers\\u2019 Party chief Pritam Singh arrives at the Supreme Court at about 9.30am.Dressed in a black suit and white shirt, he is flanked by his lawyers Andre Jumabhoy and Aristotle Eng.He enters the courtroom without speaking to the media.ST PHOTOS: KELVIN CHNG, AZMI ATHNI \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"diviya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"All 40 tickets for public given out\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-04T09:29:01+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-04T09:44:16+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The prosecutors, including Deputy Attorney-General Goh Yihan, and the media have entered Courtroom 9B, where the hearing will be held.A queue has formed outside the courtroom, with all 40 tickets for the public given out.Among those in line to enter the courtroom are WP members Gerald Giam and Fadli Fawzi, dressed in long-sleeved blue collared shirts. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"diviya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"What will happen today?\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-04T07:58:02+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-04T09:27:13+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Good morning. Today, Workers\\u2019 Party chief Pritam Singh will learn if the appeal against his conviction for lying to the Committee of Privileges (COP) is successful.On Feb 17, Singh was convicted and fined the maximum of $14,000 after a 13-day trial. The court found him guilty of two charges of lying under oath in his testimonies to the COP on Dec 10 and 15, 2021.His appeal was heard by Justice Steven Chong on Nov 4, 2025, with lawyers for the Leader of the Opposition arguing that the trial judge had \\u201cignored crucial pieces of evidence\\u201d in convicting Singh.The COP 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 is the first sitting opposition MP to be convicted of a criminal charge in almost 40 years. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"linettel\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Workers\\u2019 Party members arrive at Supreme Court\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-04T08:42:35+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-04T08:58:33+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Workers\\u2019 Party members Fadli Fawzi and Gerald Giam arrived at the Supreme Court at about 8.05am.Meanwhile, a few members of the public have already got their tickets to enter the Supreme Court, with retiree Allan Sim, 60, the earliest to get a queue number at 6.15am. Members of the media are also outside. ST PHOTOS: KELVIN CHNG \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"diviya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"What happened during the appeal hearing on Nov 4?\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-04T08:52:23+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-04T08:52:23+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Singh\\u2019s lawyers argued that the trial judge had \\u201cignored crucial pieces of evidence\\u201d in convicting Singh of lying under oath to a parliamentary committee.Defence lawyer Andre Jumabhoy called into question Ms Khan\\u2019s credibility, arguing that she had provided three different accounts of a meeting at Singh\\u2019s home on Aug 8, 2021. One of these accounts made no suggestion that Singh had told her to take her lie to the grave, he said.Singh, on the other hand, was consistent about what was said during that meeting, which was that at some point Ms Khan \\u201cwould need to clarify the lie\\u201d, Mr Jumabhoy added.Justice Chong noted 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 added that the defence cannot ignore a text message Ms Khan sent to her then aides Ms Loh Pei Ying and Mr Yudhishthra Nathan right after the Aug 8, 2021, meeting. In it, Ms Khan said WP leaders had agreed the best course of action was to take the information to the grave.The judge also asked Mr Jumabhoy why Singh appeared to be \\u201cdoing nothing\\u201d to help Ms Khan come clean between Aug 8, 2021, and their second meeting on Oct 3 that year. If Singh\\u2019s position was that Ms Khan had to come clean at some point, steps would have been taken during this \\u201ccritical\\u201d eight-week period, he said.The defence said Singh had more pressing matters to deal with at the time, including an important Bill the House was going to discuss on Oct 4, 2021.During the Nov 4 hearing, the prosecution also highlighted corroborative evidence for each of the two charges, which also included the WP chief\\u2019s inaction after the Aug 8 meeting.Deputy Attorney-General Goh Yihan argued that the multiple pieces of corroborative evidence \\u2013 including Ms Khan\\u2019s message, as well as Ms Loh\\u2019s and Mr Nathan\\u2019s evidence \\u2013 showed that the WP chief never intended for Ms Khan to clarify her lie in Parliament.READ MORE HEREST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"chuishan\"}}]}","keywords":"Pritam Singh, Singapore, Pritam trial, appeal hearing verdict, Raeesah Khan, Workers’ Party, WP chief, court","robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1","image":"https://static1.straitstimes.com.sg/s3fs-public/articles/2025/12/04/pritam0412.jpg?VersionId=9pQOSgg5ItCV22pecKoa6uQ6QdpQ3NLK"},"gaData":{"level2":"23","chapter1":"","chapter2":"","title":"Recap:_Pritam_Singh_loses_appeal_against_conviction","title_ga":"Recap: Pritam Singh loses appeal against conviction","pagination":"1","contenttype":"live blog"}},"dependentPaths":[]}}},"actionData":null,"errors":null}