Singapore’s PM Lawrence Wong removes Pritam Singh as Leader of the Opposition
Wong invites the Workers’ Party to nominate another elected MP to serve as the next Leader of the Opposition
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has stripped the Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh of his role as the city state’s first Leader of the Opposition following Singh’s conviction for lying under oath to a parliamentary committee.
Singh assumed the official role in 2020 following the general election where his party secured a record 10 elected seats in parliament. Then prime minister Lee Hsien Loong announced during a press conference that Singh would be provided with staff and resources.
Following the 2025 general election, Wong, Lee’s successor, allowed Singh to continue in his role as Leader of the Opposition.
However, on Thursday, Wong stripped Singh of the title and privileges a day after parliament voted that he was unsuitable to continue as the leader of the opposition following his conviction.
“Having considered the matter carefully, I have decided that Mr Singh’s criminal convictions, taken together with Parliament’s considered view of his unsuitability, make it no longer tenable for him to continue as the LO,” Wong said in a statement.
Wong added: “Mr Singh’s designation as the LO will therefore cease with immediate effect. This decision is necessary to uphold the rule of law, as well as the dignity and integrity of parliament.”