WP Pritam Singh on Trial Part 8 - Low Thia Khiang Testify

Former Workers' Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang testified on October 23, 2024, in the trial against WP leader Pritam Singh. Singh is accused of lying to the Committee of Privileges (COP) about his guidance to former WP MP Raeesah Khan regarding a false claim she made in parliament. In August 2021, Khan lied about accompanying a rape victim to a police station, sparking controversy.

Low recounted two key meetings in October 2021 with Singh and WP chair Sylvia Lim. During the first meeting on October 11, Lim informed Low about Khan’s lie, and they discussed having her apologize. Low stated that an apology should be made in parliament, the forum where the lie occurred. However, Low testified that neither Singh nor Lim told him they had already instructed Khan to clarify the falsehood in parliament or speak to her parents about a sexual assault she had disclosed.

In the second meeting on October 18, 2021, Low and Lim discussed Khan’s agreement to apologize in parliament, with Low emphasizing the need to review her draft statement to prevent further falsehoods. He also suggested forming a disciplinary panel to address the matter after her apology in November 2021.

Low revealed that he only learned in August 2023 that Singh, Lim, and Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap had known about Khan’s lie since August 2021, much earlier than he had been informed. He expressed surprise at the delay in disclosing this information.

Outside the courtroom, Low praised Singh as a "good politician" and capable leader, stating that Singaporean voters are mature enough to distinguish between good and bad politicians as the 2025 general election approaches.

Singh’s defense team is expected to submit arguments regarding whether there is sufficient evidence for the charges. The trial is set to resume on October 24, with additional hearing dates scheduled in November.

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