In February 2022, Parliament referred Mr Pritam Singh and Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap (“Mr Faisal Manap”) to the Public Prosecutor to investigate and consider if criminal proceedings ought to be instituted against them for their conduct before the Committee of Privileges (“the COP”):
- Mr Pritam Singh – for allegedly being untruthful in his evidence to the COP.
- Mr Faisal Manap – for allegedly refusing to answer relevant questions that had been put by the COP.
Police investigations into these matters have concluded.
Charging Mr Pritam Singh for two offences of wilfully making false answers
Having considered the totality of the evidence, the Prosecution has decided to prefer two charges against Mr Pritam Singh under section 31(q) of the Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act (Cap 217, 2000 Rev Ed) (“the Act”), for wilfully making false answers to material questions put to him during examination by the COP.
Mr Singh was charged in the State Courts on 19 March 2024. The details of his charges are as follows:
- On 10 December 2021, Mr Pritam Singh falsely testified that as at the conclusion of his meeting with Ms Raeesah Begum Bte Farid Khan (“Ms Raeesah Khan”), Ms Lim Swee Lian Sylvia and Mr Faisal Manap on 8 August 2021, he wanted Ms Raeesah Khan to, at some point, clarify in Parliament that what she told Parliament on 3 August 2021 about having accompanied a rape victim to a police station was untrue.
- On 10 and 15 December 2021, Mr Pritam Singh falsely testified that when he spoke to Ms Raeesah Khan on 3 October 2021, he wanted her to admit to having lied to Parliament on 3 August 2021 about having accompanied a rape victim to a police station, if this issue were to come up in Parliament on 4 October 2021.
The offences are punishable under section 36(1)(b) of the Act with a fine not exceeding $7,000 and/or with imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years.
Advisory issued to Mr Faisal Manap
The Prosecution, having considered the totality of the evidence, has decided not to prefer any charges against Mr Faisal Manap for his refusal to answer relevant questions that had been put to him by the COP.
Nonetheless, the Police have, in consultation with the Prosecution, issued an advisory to Mr Faisal Manap on 18 March 2024 to advise him to familiarise himself with the conduct expected of Members of Parliament under the Act and to refrain from any act that may be in breach of it. Mr Faisal Manap has acknowledged the advisory.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS
19 March 2024 @ 11:07 AM