Why are Pritam Singh and Faisal Manap being investigated by the public prosecutor?

Question

Accepted Answer

Pritam Singh and Faisal Manap Face Public Prosecutor Investigation Over Statements to Committee of Privileges

Pritam Singh and Faisal Manap are under investigation by the public prosecutor due to concerns that their statements to the Committee of Privileges may have contained untruths, potentially constituting perjury. This situation arises from the 'Raeesah-gate' scandal, where a Workers' Party Member of Parliament, Raeesah Khan, made a false statement in parliament regarding a rape victim's alleged mistreatment by the police. As senior figures within the Workers' Party, Singh and Manap were questioned by the committee, which deemed them to share responsibility for Khan's false statement and her subsequent failure to retract it.
Potential Consequences of Investigation Findings

Should the public prosecutor find Pritam Singh and Faisal Manap guilty, they could face penalties including fines or imprisonment. Under Singaporean law, an MP receiving a fine exceeding S$2,000 is subject to disqualification from their parliamentary seat. This means that the investigation carries the significant risk of the Leader of the Opposition losing his position in parliament through criminal proceedings.
The 'Raeesah-gate' Scandal's Origin

The investigation into Singh and Manap is a direct consequence of the 'Raeesah-gate' scandal. This began when Raeesah Khan, a Workers' Party MP, initially presented a false account in parliament concerning a female rape victim's alleged mistreatment by the police. Khan had claimed to have personally witnessed the incident, but it later emerged that she had only heard the story secondhand and had not accompanied the victim to the police station as stated.
Committee of Privileges' Role and Recommendations

The Committee of Privileges conducted extensive hearings into the matter after Raeesah Khan eventually admitted her statement was fabricated. Both Khan and senior Workers' Party members, including Pritam Singh, Sylvia Lim, and Faisal Manap, were questioned. The committee concluded that as party seniors, Singh and Manap bore responsibility for Khan's false statement and her inaction in retracting it. The committee recommended a S$35,000 fine for Raeesah Khan and, crucially, recommended that Pritam Singh and Faisal Manap be investigated by the public prosecutor for potential untruths in their own statements.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

Why are Pritam Singh and Faisal Manap being investigated by the public prosecutor?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends