Sylvia Lim Battles COP Report
The Committee’s Findings
On Feb 10, the Committee of Privileges (COP) released a report that slapped the Workers’ Party (WP) with a steaming hot criticism. It said that a bundle of handwritten notes from Sylvia Lim proved that Pritam Singh had nudged former Sengkang GRC MP Raeesah Khan into keeping a lie alive when she spoke in Parliament on Aug 3 last year.
Lim’s Counter‑Attack
Lim took the floor on Feb 15 to say the committee had missed the point. She claimed, “If read in the proper context, my evidence is not inconsistent and not damaging to Mr. Singh. In fact, it is consistent with his evidence that he was telling her she had to tell the truth.”
In a summary of the notes:
- Mr. Singh’s line: “Before Oct session, I met you + I told you it was your call. Did need to tell the truth in Parl occur to you?”
- Ms. Khan’s reply: “Yes but consumed with guilt + own experience. Thought it wouldn’t come up.”
- Mr. Singh’s follow‑up: “Can’t lie, right?”
- Ms. Khan’s answer: “Yes.”
Lim said this exchange proved that Khan understood she must tell the truth and that she was “baffled” by COP’s conclusion that she credited Singh with a duty‑breach.
Composition of the Committee
Lim slammed the COP’s makeup, saying it was “overwhelmingly dominated by ruling‑party members” and that it only had one WP representative – Mr. Dennis Tan from Hougang. She called for “at least three opposition MPs” on the panel.
Why Lawyers are Banned?
Lim also questioned why witnesses were forbidden to bring counsel. She complained that she was interrogated for ~3 hours, while Mr. Faisal and Mr. Singh were grilled for 6 and 9 hours respectively in a single day.
Leadership’s Response
Indranee Rajah, Leader of the House, shot back by saying that the committee had considered Lim’s interpretation and noted it in its report. She accused Lim of “casting aspersions” on COP’s composition.
“When we had to decide who would be the opposition representative, Fat me! Dennis Tan was nominated by Mr. Singh, who never complained. So if you don’t like the outcome, why complain about the makeup?”
She also explained that lengths of questioning vary with how straight‑forward respondents answer and that lawyers may be allowed if special circumstances prevail. She pointed out that both Mr. Singh and Ms. Lim are lawyers and did not need extra counsel.
Faisal’s Quick Reply
Mr. Faisal, in a brief clip, promised cooperation with investigations if he and Mr. Singh were referred to the Public Prosecutor. He assured Aljunied residents that house visits and Meet‑the‑People sessions would keep running, and that he would keep supporting the Malay‑Muslim community in Sengkang.
Final Thought
In a scene that could have been a PlayStation-worthy drama, Lim shook up Singapore’s political tea, while the ruling party’s leaders brewed a calm, measured defense. The narrative is still unfolding – will the committee appease the opposition’s critics, or will the MP’s own lawyer background prove a double‑edged sword? Only time (and maybe a cup of kopi!) will tell.
