• Pritam Singh removed as Leader of the Opposition after a parliamentary vote on January 14.
• The decision follows his conviction for lying under oath to a parliamentary committee regarding Raeesah Khan's false claims.
• The parliament motion deemed Singh's conduct "dishonourable and unbecoming" of an MP.
• Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasized the need to uphold parliamentary integrity and the rule of law.
• The Workers' Party is reviewing Singh's conduct in the context of party rules.

Pritam Singh has been officially removed as Singapore's Leader of the Opposition subsequent to a parliamentary vote held on January 14 that deemed him unsuitable for the role due to his attempt to cover up lies surrounding the conduct of former MP Raeesah Khan. His conviction for lying to a parliamentary committee was the focal point of this motion, raising serious questions about the integrity expected from parliamentary leaders, according to the Leader of the House, Indranee Rajah, who introduced the motion. She stated that Singh's actions involved "multiple lies" and represented a significant failure of leadership, reflecting poorly on public trust in the integrity of parliament, according to ChannelNewsAsia and South China Morning Post.

During a lengthy debate, all People's Action Party (PAP) and Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) supported the motion, while all Workers' Party (WP) MPs present opposed it. Singh maintains that his "conscience remains clear" and disagrees with the parliamentary resolution that labeled his behavior as dishonourable, as he insists he had not instructed Khan to lie but was attempting to manage a sensitive situation, reports BBC and ChannelNewsAsia.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, in a statement following the parliamentary decision, highlighted the importance of upholding the rule of law and implied that Singh's criminal convictions rendered his position untenable. Wong mentioned that the decision to remove Singh reflects not only his legal standing but also the parliament's consideration of his unsuitability for the role, according to Reuters and ChannelNewsAsia.

The backdrop to Singh's conviction involves a complicated narrative surrounding former WP MP Raeesah Khan, who falsely claimed in parliament about assisting a sexual assault victim, later revealing that she had been told by Singh and other leaders to maintain her narrative. After her admission, Singh found himself facing severe backlash for his handling of the situation, culminating in his court conviction for lying under oath during a parliamentary investigation. His decision to appeal was dismissed by the High Court, solidifying the judgment against him, as detailed by South China Morning Post and ChannelNewsAsia.

Post-removal, Singh continues as a Member of Parliament for Aljunied but will no longer benefit from the privileges afforded to the Leader of the Opposition, which include additional allowances and prime time during parliamentary debates. The Workers' Party is now tasked with nominating another MP for the role, ensuring that the position does not remain vacant for long, as affirmed by Wong's invitation for a new nominee, according to BBC and Reuters.