The opposition Workers’ Party’s internal election has exposed a gaping hole in its hierarchy: There was nobody with experience and stature to take over from its secretary-general Pritam Singh. If the leadership election to decide Pritam’s position in the party has forced it to look at leadership transition, then those in the party and those who believe that Singapore needs a healthy Opposition should be smiling.
The elevation of Harpreet Singh to the Central Executive Committee just a year after his appearance in the General Election last year must mean the party leadership has learnt the urgency to prepare for renewal. He lost narrowly in Punggol last year as the PAP put on its extra fire power in the form of Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy PM to campaign in the ward.
The Opposition man’s nuanced and even-handed Facebook post immediately after the verdict on Pritam revealed a confident and mature leader in the making.
The seed of Pritam’s troubles was planted five years ago when he picked Raeesah Khan to contest the 2020 election. She was part of the team that threw out the PAP team in Sengkang GRC. Raeesah ticked nearly all the boxes for a strong Opposition candidate: Woman, social activist and Muslim. She and her team went on to win, but Pritam’s judgment came into question when Raeesah failed in the biggest test in Singapore politics. Character.
She was exposed as a liar in Parliament and Pritam’s mistake was that he was not quick and decisive in getting his MP to apologise immediately after her lie was exposed. Former secretary-general Low Thia Khiang had to intervene before Pritam acted. Long story short, Pritam was charged in court.
Before that, the leader of the Workers’ Party put up a robust defence during the Committee of Privileges hearing. I had not seen Pritam perform like this before and after. Every question was answered with sharpness, robustness and clarity that made me ask: Where was this man all this while.
The chairman of the Committee of Privileges Edwin Tong used his lawyer skills to trap Pritam, but the latter weaved his way out adroitly.
At one point, he told Tong: “Nice try, Mr Tong. You can’t bind me with a piece of sewing thread. You are trying to catch me in a gotcha moment. You are a good lawyer. I am a good listener.”
There is another hurdle to cross for the Opposition leader, who is also a lawyer. The Law Society will deliberate next month on what action, if any, to take against him. Pritam’s biggest test will come in the next election when his voters will decide if he is fit to represent them in Parliament.
