The vote took place in a parliament dominated by the ruling People's Action Party (PAP). Singh, who maintains his innocence, will remain a member of parliament and secretary-general of the Workers' Party (WP), the largest opposition party. However, he will lose privileges associated with the Leader of the Opposition title, including additional allowances and the right of first reply during parliamentary debates.
Singh was the first person to hold the title of Leader of the Opposition, a position formally established in 2020 to recognize the role of the opposition in Singapore's political system. The role was created to provide the opposition leader with more resources and a higher profile in parliament.
The case is notable as one of the few criminal convictions against a sitting opposition lawmaker in Singapore. The specific details of the parliamentary committee hearing and the nature of the lie Singh was convicted of were not immediately available.
Critics of the Singapore government have previously accused the ruling party of using the judiciary to target political opponents, allegations that authorities have consistently denied. On Wednesday, Indranee Rajah, the Leader of the House, spoke in parliament regarding the matter.
The long-term implications of this decision for the Workers' Party and the broader opposition landscape in Singapore remain to be seen. The loss of privileges could impact Singh's ability to effectively lead the opposition in parliament. Further developments are expected as the Workers' Party navigates this situation and prepares for future parliamentary sessions.
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