Pritam Singh pleads not guilty to charges of lying to Parliamentary committee

Leader of the Opposition and Workers' Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh has pleaded not guilty to charges of lying under oath. The case relates to his testimony to a Parliament Committee of Privileges, which was tasked with looking into a lie told by former WP MP Raeesah Khan. Singh asked for a four-week adjournment so he has time to engage a lawyer. His next appearance in court is for a pre-trial conference on Apr 17. Singh said he will continue all Parliamentary duties despite the charges. The People's Action Party said its MPs will not seek his suspension while his case is before the courts. While the offences are punishable with a maximum fine of S$7,000 and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, the Attorney-General's Chambers said the prosecution will ask the court to impose a fine for each of Pritam Singh's charges if he is convicted. Rebecca Metteo, Alif Amsyar, Richa Mathew and Claudia Lim report.