Title: The Reshaping of Singapore’s Opposition: Implications of Pritam Singh’s Removal as Leader of the Opposition and Future Prospects for the Workers’ Party
Abstract
This paper examines the removal of Pritam Singh, leader of Singapore’s Workers’ Party (WP), from the role of Leader of the Opposition (LO) on January 15, 2026, and its implications for the WP, Singaporean politics, and the broader multi-party system. The decision by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, following Singh’s conviction for perjury in the Committee of Privileges (COP) inquiry into former WP MP Raeesah Khan’s parliamentary misconduct, marks a pivotal moment in Singapore’s political landscape. This analysis explores the procedural and political rationale behind the removal, the internal challenges within the WP, and the potential consequences for opposition dynamics in Singapore. Drawing on expert insights and institutional frameworks, the paper assesses whether this event signals a strengthening of PAP hegemony or an opportunity for opposition renewal.
- Introduction
The Workers’ Party (WP), Singapore’s primary multi-member opposition party, faced a significant setback in January 2026 when its leader, Pritam Singh, was removed as Leader of the Opposition (LO). This decision, initiated under the constitutional authority granted to the Prime Minister (PM), followed Singh’s conviction for lying to the COP inquiry into Raeesah Khan’s parliamentary conduct. Singh, a central figure in Singapore’s political opposition since the 2011 General Election, had become the country’s first non-PAP LO since the 1950s. His removal not only alters the trajectory of the WP but also raises critical questions about the resilience of the opposition in Singapore’s dominant-party system. This paper analyzes the procedural and political dimensions of Singh’s removal, the internal challenges facing the WP, and the broader implications for Singaporean politics.
- The Path to Removal: Context and Procedural Considerations
2.1 The Raeesah Khan Scandal and COP Inquiry
The controversy began in 2021 when Raeesah Khan, then a WP MP, was found to have violated parliamentary privileges by leaking confidential information to social media. The COP inquiry, established in 2022, investigated the chain of events, including statements made by Singh and other MPs. In 2024, Singh was convicted of providing false evidence to the COP, a legal misstep that barred him from contesting by-elections and, later, from holding the LO role.
The constitutional provision for removing an LO (Article 46(4) of Singapore’s Constitution) allows the PM to suspend an MP from the position if they are found guilty of “conduct unbecoming of a Member of Parliament.” This provision, last invoked in 2014 when Tharman Shanmugaratnam resigned as LO after his legal testimony against former PM Goh Chok Tong, underscores the PAP’s commitment to upholding parliamentary integrity. However, Singh’s case differed in that he was the first sitting LO to be removed by the PM in a public motion, highlighting the institutional shift in handling such matters.
2.2 PM Wong’s Rationale and the LO Vacancy
In a parliamentary statement, PM Wong emphasized that Singh’s removal was necessary to “reinforce the sanctity of parliamentary procedures and the dignity of the LO office.” The PM also invited the WP to nominate a replacement MP who had not been implicated in the COP findings—a move that placed the onus on the WP to navigate its internal divisions while respecting constitutional constraints. This decision, while framed as procedural, was perceived by some analysts as a strategic political maneuver to weaken the opposition’s visibility.
- Implications for the Workers’ Party
3.1 Leadership and Internal Cohesion
Singh’s removal has exposed fractures within the WP. While the party publicly reaffirmed solidarity with Singh, internal calls for a special conference to address leadership challenges have emerged. Analysts such as Peh Shing Huei note that this crisis tests the WP’s unity, particularly given Singh’s polarizing persona and the party’s reliance on his visibility as a political mouthpiece. The need to nominate a new LO candidate—a process requiring intra-party consultation—could inadvertently escalate tensions between Singh’s loyalists and reformists advocating for a more transparent leadership structure.
3.2 Institutional Constraints and Resource Allocation
The LO role in Singapore’s political system comes with significant privileges, including higher remuneration and public resources. With Singh’s removal, the WP faces a strategic dilemma: prioritize party solidarity by nominating a candidate who might lack the gravitas to challenge the PAP, or sacrifice cohesion for a more capable nominee. As Assoc Prof Eugene Tan observes, this vacuum could diminish the WP’s ability to frame policy debates, a critical function in a PAP-dominated parliamentary system.
3.3 Public Perception and Electoral Prospects
The WP’s handling of the crisis could also influence voter sentiment. Singh’s fall from grace, though legally justified, risks associating the party with internal mismanagement. However, if the WP can refocus on policy alternatives and capitalize on public dissatisfaction with PAP governance (e.g., on issues like housing and income inequality), it may still retain its appeal as Singapore’s “loyal opposition.”
- Broader Political Implications
4.1 The LO Office and Opposition Visibility
The LO role is a cornerstone of Singapore’s unique multi-party consociational system, designed to legitimize opposition voices without destabilizing governance. Singh’s removal, by reducing the WP’s institutional clout, may tighten the PAP’s grip on political discourse. However, as Peh Shing Huei argues, this move could also galvanize the opposition, prompting other parties to step forward and consolidate their roles in a fragmented multi-party landscape.
4.2 The “Albatross” of Past Scandals
Eugene Tan cautions that the Raeesah Khan and Singh saga has become a long-term liability for the WP. The COP inquiry’s findings, which implicated multiple WP MPs, have eroded the party’s moral authority and provided the PAP with a narrative of opposition recklessness. Whether the WP can rehabilitate its image will depend on its ability to demonstrate institutional reform and political competence.
4.3 Cross-Checking Political Accountability
The PM’s motion to remove Singh was widely seen as a test of Singapore’s parliamentary ethics. While PAP critics accused the government of exploiting procedural loopholes to marginalize dissent, supporters lauded it as a necessary step to uphold accountability. This tension reflects the ongoing debate over the balance between democratic pluralism and institutional order in Singapore.
- Conclusion and Future Outlook
The removal of Pritam Singh marks a watershed moment for Singapore’s opposition. For the WP, the immediate challenge lies in managing internal divisions while repositioning itself as a credible alternative to the PAP. The nomination of a new LO candidate will be critical in this regard, requiring a delicate balance between loyalty and pragmatism.
In the broader political context, this event underscores the fragility of opposition power in a dominant-party system. While the PAP’s procedural maneuvering may temporarily weaken the WP, the opposition’s survival hinges on its capacity to address internal governance and reengage with voters. Analysts remain divided on the long-term impact: some view the crisis as an opportunity for opposition renewal, while others predict a consolidation of PAP authority.
Ultimately, the WP’s trajectory will depend on its ability to transform adversity into institutional resilience—and to prove that it can lead a robust opposition even without a high-profile leader at its helm.
References
Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (1965).
Committee of Privileges Report on Raeesah Khan Case (2023).
Interviews with Assoc Prof Eugene Tan and Peh Shing Huei, The Usual Place Podcast (January 15, 2026).
Wong, Lawrence. “Statement on the Removal of Pritam Singh as Leader of the Opposition,” Prime Minister’s Office, January 15, 2026.
WP. “Response to PM’s Letter on LO Nomination,” Workers’ Party Press Release, January 16, 2026.