PMO affirms LO post will remain vacant after WP declines to nominate replacement

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has confirmed that the position of Leader of the Opposition (LOO) in Parliament will remain vacant, following the Workers’ Party’s (WP) decision not to nominate a new candidate.

This development follows the removal of Pritam Singh from the LOO role on 15 January 2026 after his criminal conviction for lying to Parliament—a verdict upheld by the High Court.

In a statement issued on 21 January 2026, the PMO stated that while the leader of the main opposition party is typically the natural choice for LOO, the current situation is exceptional.

It said Parliament had resolved that Singh’s conviction and conduct rendered him unsuitable to continue serving in the position.

The statement added: “In other jurisdictions, members convicted of crimes involving dishonesty or lying under oath would ordinarily have resigned. This has not happened here.”

It emphasised that Singapore places a “high premium on honesty and integrity in our political system”, and that Members of Parliament, especially those in leadership roles, must uphold these values.

Following Parliament’s resolution, the government had invited WP to nominate another elected MP to assume the LOO role. The PMO acknowledged that the party had declined.

“The Government accepts that decision. The office of the LOO will therefore remain vacant until such time that the WP is ready to nominate someone to take on this responsibility,” the statement concluded.

In a separate statement also issued on 21 January, WP explained its refusal as a matter of principle.

The party reaffirmed that the LOO role reflects the political composition of Parliament and should not be viewed as an appointment at the government’s discretion.

According to WP, the establishment of the LOO position in 2020 was a recognition of electoral outcomes and signalled political maturation in Singapore.

WP highlighted that in Westminster-style parliamentary systems, the LO title is conferred by law and arises from the democratic process, not by executive appointment.

“It is the people’s vote that explains the presence of opposition MPs in Parliament,” the party stated, adding that the legitimacy of the LOO role “flows from electoral success”.

The statement noted that the LOO position is typically assigned to the leader of the largest opposition party, or determined by that party, not the Prime Minister or government.

“As such, the Workers’ Party has conveyed to the Prime Minister that we will not be nominating another Workers’ Party Member of Parliament to the LOO post,” the party said.

The statement followed Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s earlier announcement on 15 January that Singh had been removed as LOO after the courts upheld his conviction, aligning with findings by the Committee of Privileges.

Wong said, “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.”

While Singh had expressed disagreement with the court’s findings, he stated that he accepted the outcome of the legal process.

On the same day, Singh published a brief message on his personal Facebook page: “The work continues today, and it will continue tomorrow.”

Singh has remained an elected MP and Secretary-General of the WP.

He was first appointed as Singapore’s inaugural Leader of the Opposition in July 2020 by then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, following WP’s gains in the General Election that year.

The LOO role, though not enshrined in law, came with expanded responsibilities and privileges, including confidential briefings, dedicated staff, increased allowance, and more speaking time in Parliament.

Following the General Election in May 2025, Prime Minister Wong confirmed Singh’s reappointment as LOO. That confirmation occurred before Singh’s appeal against his conviction was dismissed by the High Court.

With the LOO seat now vacant, questions may arise regarding how opposition parliamentary business will be conducted and whether other reforms to formalise the role may be considered in future.