Yahoo poll shows over 75% disagree with PM Wong’s decision to remove Pritam Singh as Leader of the Opposition

SINGAPORE: A poll conducted on Yahoo’s website has indicated strong public disagreement with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s decision to remove Workers’ Party secretary-general Pritam Singh from his role as Leader of the Opposition.

Earlier, the poll showed that 75% of the 9,508 respondents opposed the move.

As of 19 January 2026, 4.39pm, 77% of respondents voting against the decision. The poll had attracted a total of 9,533 votes since it was launched on 15 January.

The poll was started on the same day Prime Minister Wong announced that Mr Singh would be removed from the post.

The decision followed the conclusion of parliamentary proceedings and court rulings related to Mr Singh’s conduct.

In a statement issued on 15 January 2026, Prime Minister Wong said the removal was necessary to uphold the rule of law and preserve the dignity and integrity of Parliament.

According to the Prime Minister, Mr Singh’s conviction by the District Court, which was later upheld on appeal, confirmed the findings of the Committee of Privileges. He described the legal outcome as “final and conclusive”.

“This legal outcome is final and conclusive – it must be respected, and given full effect in determining his suitability to continue as the Leader of the Opposition,” Prime Minister Wong said in his statement.

He added that while Mr Singh had expressed disagreement with the court’s findings, he had accepted the outcome of the legal process. The Prime Minister stressed that questions of guilt or innocence are determined through the courts.

“Mr Singh is entitled to his personal views on the matter. But questions of guilt or innocence are determined through the impartial court process,” he said.

Parliament passes motion saying Pritam Singh unsuitable as Leader of the Opposition amid WP dissent

The removal followed a parliamentary motion debated on 14 January.

The motion was tabled by Leader of the House Indranee Rajah and called on Members of Parliament to express regret over Mr Singh’s conduct.

During the debate, Ms Indranee described the conduct as “dishonourable and unbecoming” of a Member of Parliament. She cited the High Court’s findings that Mr Singh had guided former Workers’ Party MP Raeesah Khan in maintaining an untruth in Parliament.

Ms Indranee argued that allowing Mr Singh to continue as Leader of the Opposition would erode public confidence in Parliament and undermine its integrity.

The motion was debated for nearly four hours before being put to a vote. It was supported by People’s Action Party MPs and the Nominated MPs who were present.

All 11 Workers’ Party MPs present opposed the motion. The party whip was lifted for the vote, but WP MPs ultimately took a unified position against it.

Pritam Singh backs integrity pledge; rejects Indranee's motion against him

Responding during the debate, Mr Singh said he supported two parts of the motion. These affirmed that honesty and integrity are fundamental to Singapore’s political system and that MPs must respect and abide by the law.

However, he rejected the remaining resolutions contained in the motion. Mr Singh said he stood by his conduct and maintained that his conscience was clear.

He reiterated that while he accepted the court’s ruling, he disagreed with its characterisation of his actions as dishonourable.

“My conscience remains clear, as it will forever, that this was not said by me to Khan at any point in time,” Mr Singh said during the debate.

Other Workers’ Party MPs also raised concerns about the implications of removing Mr Singh from the role. Sylvia Lim and Gerald Giam warned that the move could undermine the position of the opposition.

Mr Giam questioned the fairness of the decision, particularly in relation to WP MPs who were not involved in the trial or the findings of the Committee of Privileges.

Despite differing views within Parliament, Prime Minister Wong proceeded with the decision after the motion was passed.

Following the vote, the Prime Minister invited the Workers’ Party to nominate another elected Member of Parliament to assume the role of Leader of the Opposition.

He said the nominee should not have been implicated in the earlier findings of the Committee of Privileges and must meet the high standards expected of the office.

Workers’ Party says it will review letter internally before responding

In a media statement, the Workers’ Party acknowledged receipt of the Prime Minister’s letter.

The party said it would deliberate on its contents carefully through its internal processes and respond in due course.

Mr Singh was first appointed Leader of the Opposition in 2020 by then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The appointment followed the General Election in which the Workers’ Party won Aljunied and Sengkang Group Representation Constituencies, as well as Hougang Single Member Constituency.

The role of Leader of the Opposition carries enhanced parliamentary privileges. These include additional speaking time, confidential briefings on national issues, staff support, and double the allowance of an elected Member of Parliament.

After the General Election in May 2025, Prime Minister Wong confirmed that Mr Singh would continue in the role. That confirmation came before the High Court dismissed Mr Singh’s appeal.