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‘Proper, correct’ for privileges committee to refer WP leaders to Public Prosecutor: Ong Ye Kung

SINGAPORE — It was “proper and correct” for the Committee of Privileges to refer leaders from the opposition Workers’ Party (WP) Pritam Singh and Faisal Manap to the Public Prosecutor, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Saturday (Feb 12).

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung speaking at a press conference by the national Covid-19 task force on March 24, 2022.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung speaking at a press conference by the national Covid-19 task force on March 24, 2022.

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SINGAPORE — It was “proper and correct” for the Committee of Privileges to refer leaders from the opposition Workers’ Party (WP) Pritam Singh and Faisal Manap to the Public Prosecutor, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Saturday (Feb 12).

The committee on Thursday released its final report on the complaint made against former WP Member of Parliament Raeesah Khan for lying in the House about a sexual assault case.

It recommended that she be fined S$35,000 for telling a false anecdote in Parliament on Aug 3 last year and repeating it on Oct 4 that year.

It also proposed that WP chief and Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh as well as party vice-chairman Faisal Manap be referred to the Public Prosecutor for possible criminal charges, saying it was “satisfied” that they were untruthful while testifying under oath.

Mr Ong, who is from the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), said on the sidelines of an event at the site of the upcoming Woodlands Health campus: "I feel it is proper and correct for the Committee of Privileges to refer the case to the Public Prosecutor because, should the issue really go to trial, Mr Pritam Singh and Mr Faisal Manap can then furnish all the evidence before the judge, argue their case, defend themselves and clear their name.

“The issue of being outnumbered by PAP members doesn't arise in the court of law. The judge is independent, and the judge is objective. Further, if no wrong is done, there is no fear of the Leader of the Opposition losing his seat.”

Parliament is expected to debate and vote on the committee's report next week. WP has said that Mr Singh, Mr Faisal and WP chairman Sylvia Lim will be expressing their views on the report in Parliament.

Addressing the WP’s statement on the committee’s recommendation, Mr Ong also said that building up democracy must be premised on integrity and honesty.

“Having different voices, having different ideas about our country rigorously debated, having checks and balances to ensure that there is no abuse of power — these are all good things, and the PAP agrees with that, and as our institution matures, we will move towards that. But I think building up democracy has to be premised on integrity and honesty as its foundation,” Mr Ong said.

“What's the use of having a democratic system where there are so many political parties constantly at odds with each other, constantly in rigorous or fierce arguments and debates, but it contains lies, it contains falsehoods, repeated falsehoods, party leaders not correcting the falsehoods, or empty promises? That I don't feel serves our people well. It's not the kind of democracy we want to have.”

Mr Ong said that every lie — and failure to correct a lie — weakens the foundation of democracy.

“Every member of the House, every party that is represented in the chamber, has a duty, has a responsibility to protect that foundation,” he said.

“Sure, we are all humans, and we all make mistakes, but when we make a mistake, how a political leader comes out to confront and then correct the mistake is also a mark of the standard of integrity for the leader, for the party he represents, for Parliament and for our democratic institution.” CNA

For more stories like this, visit cna.asia.

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Ong Ye Kung Committee of Privileges Raeesah Khan Pritam Singh Faisal Manap

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