No longer tenable for him to continue as the Leader of Opposition’: PM Wong removes Pritam Singh from post

January 16, 2026

Singapore – Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has sacked Workers’ Party chairman Pritam Singh as leader of the opposition and asked the opposition parties to nominate another MP to fill the position.

Prime Minister Wong said in a statement on January 15: “After careful consideration of the matter, I have decided that Mr Singh’s criminal conviction, combined with Parliament’s considered view of his unfitness, renders him no longer able to continue to serve as an MP.”

Mr. Singh’s appointment as Liaison Officer is terminated with immediate effect.

Prime Minister Wong said his decision was necessary to uphold the rule of law and the dignity and integrity of Parliament.

This means that Singh will no longer enjoy 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. Report says Mr Singh’s conduct and court conviction related to lies about former Workers’ Party MP Raeesah Khan in 2021 Parliament

This means that he did not 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.

In inviting the Workers’ Party to nominate another elected member to be the next local councilor, Prime Minister Wong said the nominee should not be implicated in the findings of the Privileges Committee’s earlier inquiry into Ms Khan’s case.

The party currently has 10 elected members in Parliament, as well as 2 non-constituency members.

Prime Minister Wong added that the nominee must also be able to meet the high standards 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.

He pointed out that during the debate on January 14, Singh reiterated that he accepted the court’s decision, but said that he disagreed with the court’s findings and insisted that he was not guilty.

“Mr Singh is entitled to express his personal views on the matter. But the question of guilt or innocence is decided through fair court proceedings,” Prime Minister Huang said.

Prime Minister Wong noted that the district court’s conviction of Singh on two counts of lying to a parliamentary committee confirmed the committee’s previous findings.

Singh’s appeal to the High Court was also dismissed.

“This legal outcome is final and conclusive and must be respected and given full play in determining his suitability to continue as chairman,” Prime Minister Huang said.

In his speech during the debate, Mr Singh objected to parts of the motion which said he had behaved disgracefully and was unfit to serve as an MP. He added that while he fully and unreservedly accepted the court’s decision, he was disappointed with the verdict and disagreed with the findings.

Moving the motion, Ms Indranee said as the post of chief minister was conferred by the prime minister, it was up to Prime Minister Wong to retain Mr Singh’s position.

Prime Minister Ng also wrote to the Workers’ Party’s Central Executive Committee, the party’s highest decision-making body, in which he said the People’s Party plays an important role in Singapore’s political system.

In the letter, which was also sent to the media, Prime Minister Ng said the position was first formally designated in 2020 in recognition of Singaporeans’ strong desire for greater diversity of views in Parliament.

He added that the office has great responsibilities, noting that the LO leads the opposition in debates on bills and motions and nominates opposition MPs to parliamentary committees.

He said the LO may also be asked to represent Parliament at state functions and receive confidential briefings on national interests. For these reasons, LO received additional resources and support.

“Those who hold this position must therefore uphold the highest standards of honesty and integrity and earn the trust necessary to discharge these responsibilities on behalf of Parliament and the people of Singapore,” Prime Minister Ng said in the letter.