Former Workers’ Party Chief Testifies About Ms Raeesah Khan’s Untruth
In a shocking revelation during the trial, former Workers’ Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang disclosed that party leaders had known about Ms Raeesah Khan’s untruth since August 8, 2021, but only informed him in August 2023.
Background
- Ms Raeesah Khan, a former Sengkang GRC MP, falsely claimed in Parliament on August 3, 2021, that she had accompanied a sexual assault victim to a police station where the victim was treated insensitively.
- She repeated this claim on October 4, 2021, before admitting to her lie on November 1, 2021.
Low Thia Khiang’s Testimony
Mr. Low was testifying at the trial of his successor, Pritam Singh, who is facing charges of lying to a parliamentary committee about wanting Ms. Khan to clarify her untruth in Parliament on August 8 and October 3, 2021.
During the trial, Mr. Low revealed that he met with Pritam Singh and WP chair Sylvia Lim on October 11, 2021, where they informed him about Ms. Khan’s lie.
Mr. Low’s Advice
- Mr. Low advised that Ms. Khan should apologize and clarify her lie in Parliament, as it was the correct forum for such actions.
- He emphasized that simply holding a press conference or issuing a statement would not suffice.
Exchange with Sylvia Lim
During the conversation, Mr. Low asked Ms. Lim if the Government knew about Ms. Khan’s lie, to which she responded that the Government did not know and it would be challenging for them to find out due to the numerous police stations in Singapore.
Mr. Low stressed that the focus should be on Ms. Khan apologizing for her lie, regardless of whether the Government could uncover the truth.
He noted that Ms. Lim appeared anxious during this discussion.
Analysis
This testimony sheds light on the internal workings of the Workers’ Party and the handling of a significant scandal involving a former MP.
It highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in politics, as well as the consequences of dishonesty and the need for public figures to take responsibility for their actions.
Furthermore, it serves as a cautionary tale for individuals in positions of power, emphasizing the repercussions of deceit and the importance of ethical conduct in public service.