Edwin Tong was speaking at a gallery launch by the People’s Association, held at the Community Leadership Institute in Buona Vista, on Nov 8. - ST/ANN
SINGAPORE: Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh’s statement on the court of public opinion being a bigger court than any court in the world is outrageous, plainly wrong and completely unacceptable.
Minister for Law Edwin Tong said this on Nov 8.
His comments come after Pritam said in an episode of CNA’s The Assembly programme that he believes the court of public opinion can be bigger than any court in the world, when asked about his February conviction for lying under oath to a parliamentary committee.
Pritam said the WP’s respectable performance at the May general election showed what the public thought of his role in the Raeesah Khan case.
Speaking on the sidelines of an event, Tong – who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs, said: “Mr Singh was investigated, and then he was charged. He went through a full and open trial and was convicted by the court for lying to a parliamentary select committee.
“The judge gave detailed grounds setting out the basis for the conviction. I think it ran into almost 150 pages. This judgment is, today, valid and binding.”
Tong added: “No one should dismiss or denigrate the court’s judgment or suggest that public opinion can somehow trump a court’s decision.”
Noting that this was a very dangerous idea, Tong said the rule of law is a cornerstone of the system in Singapore, so that the country does not have a “rule of the mob”.
Pritam was fined S$14,000 (US$10,761) for the two charges of knowingly lying to Parliament’s Committee of Privileges, which was below the threshold that would have disqualified him from running in the 2025 General Election.
Pritam’s appeal against the conviction was heard on Nov 4 and the judgment has been reserved for a later date.
Pritam had successfully defended his parliamentary seat in Aljunied GRC, leading the five-member team to victory with 59.71 per cent of the vote.
Regarding Pritam’s appeal, Tong said the authorities will let the process run its course, and that he will not comment on the case itself.
Tong was speaking at a gallery launch by the People’s Association (PA), held at the National Community Leadership Institute in Buona Vista.
In that episode of the CNA programme that aired on Nov 5, Pritam also said that his political opponents would “do whatever it takes” to lower his and his party’s esteem in the public eye.
When asked by one of the neurodivergent panellists about being called a liar due to his handling of Khan’s false anecdote, Pritam said this was not something he had lost much sleep over because he was “in the business of politics”.
Responding to his comments Tong said: “This is the kind of response we have seen all over the world, from populist politicians who attack judges and courts when rulings go against them.
“They think they are above the law, but this kind of irresponsible politics should have no place in Singapore.
“Singapore is built on honesty and integrity, but Mr Singh is delegitimising our courts with his comments, saying it doesn’t matter what he does – as long as he gets elected.
Tong said Pritam's comments undermine public trust in Singapore’s system, law enforcement and judiciary, adding that the courts here decide cases based on facts and no one is above the law – even the Leader of Opposition and any minister.
He added that if Pritam had done no wrong, the court will judge and rule as such.
But if the conviction stands, then Pritam should accept it fully and take responsibility, said Tong.
He noted: “There is no separate court for politicians.” - The Straits Times/ANN
