The Tamesis
The opposition party said in a statement posted on its website on January 21 that it had informed Prime Minister Wong of its decision.
The Workers’ Party added that it considers the leader of the largest opposition party in parliament to be the leader of the opposition party.
This follows Prime Minister Wong’s decision on January 15 to remove Workers’ Party chairman Pritam Singh, citing Mr Singh’s court conviction and a parliamentary motion deeming him unfit to hold the position.
In a letter to Prime Minister Wong on January 21, the Workers’ Party leadership said the party was “unable to accept” his invitation to nominate another elected MP for the position as the party has its own established process for electing a leader.
“In Singapore, the position of LO is appointed at the discretion of the Prime Minister,” it noted.
“Although there are no constitutional or statutory qualification criteria, we believe that the only viable candidate for the position of LO will be an MP who is the leader of the Workers’ Party, the largest opposition in parliament.”
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement on January 21 that the government accepted the Workers’ Party’s decision. It added that the LO’s office would remain vacant until the task force “is ready to nominate someone to assume this responsibility.”
The Workers’ Party said in a statement that, as a rule, this appointment would extend to the leader of the largest opposition party in parliament, or it would be decided by the opposition party concerned.
“To this end, it is important to reiterate that LO appointments in parliament result from the political success of the opposition at the ballot box.
“It is the people’s vote that explains the presence of opposition members in parliament.”
The party cited other Westminster parliamentary systems in which MPs’ titles are determined by law and “are not the prerogative or choice of the government of the day or the Prime Minister”.
The statement said that this approach reflects the authority and sanctity of the people’s vote.
The party pointed out that the establishment of the Labor Office is a step forward in Singapore’s political development.
The PAP government introduced recognition of the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament in 2020 “ostensibly in recognition of Singaporeans’ strong desire for greater diversity of political views”.
“We continue to focus on our primary responsibility of serving Singaporeans and providing rational, responsible and respectful oversight of the government,” the statement said.
In 2020, then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong appointed Mr. Singh as LO. Prime Minister Wong reappointed Mr Singh to the post after the May 2025 general election.
In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said the leader of the main opposition party in Parliament was indeed the natural choice to serve as LO, but pointed to the extraordinary circumstances of Mr Singh’s criminal conviction for lying to Parliament and that the House considered his conviction and conduct made him unfit to continue in the role.
Prime Minister Wong said on January 15 that Mr Singh’s convictions and the views expressed in the House meant it was “no longer tenable” for him to continue in the role.
He said his decision was necessary to preserve the rule of law and the dignity and integrity of Parliament.
This means that Singh no longer enjoys the privileges of the position, including first right of reply in parliamentary debates, more speaking time and double the allowances of elected MPs.
The move comes a day after the House approved a motion moved by House leader Indranee Rajah on January 14. The motion said Mr Singh’s conduct and court conviction for lying against former Workers’ Party MP Raeesah Khan in the 2021 Parliament meant he failed to meet the requirements and standards of the LO.
All PAP MPs and nominated MPs agreed to the motion, while 11 Workers’ Party MPs in the House of Representatives opposed it.
Prime Minister Huang also sent a letter to the Workers’ Party’s highest decision-making body on January 15, inviting the Workers’ Party to nominate another elected member as the next party chairman.
He noted that the nominee should not be implicated in the findings of the Privileges Committee’s previous investigation into Ms Khan’s case and that the nominee must also be able to meet the high standards expected of the position.
“I hope to secure their nominations as soon as possible so that this important position in our parliamentary democracy does not remain vacant for too long,” Prime Minister Wong said.
