LEADER OF the Opposition (LO) Pritam Singh’s comments greatly affect public trust for our institutions, said Minister for Law Edwin Tong (8 Nov).
“Mr Singh is delegitimising our Courts, and saying it doesn’t matter what he does, as long as he gets elected,” said Minister Tong. “What Mr Singh said also undermines public trust in our system, in our law enforcement, and in our judiciary.”
On Channel NewsAsia’s The Assembly, LO Singh told viewers that he believes the court of public opinion can be bigger than any court in the world.
LO Singh was convicted in February for lying to a Parliamentary Select Committee.
“No one should dismiss or denigrate the Court’s judgment, or suggest that public opinion can trump a Court’s decision. This is a very dangerous idea.” said Minister Tong. “We do not have rule of the mob.”
Minister Tong is particularly concerned by LO Singh cynically suggesting that the guilty verdict is “a political attempt to attack him”.
“This is the kind of response we have seen all over the world – from populist politicians who attack judges and courts when rulings go against them,” said Minister Tong. “They think they are above the law.”
A judge gave detailed grounds for LO Singh’s verdict after a full, lengthy and open trial; the judgement ran almost 150 pages. It is valid and binding.
“In Singapore, the Courts decide cases not on politics, but based on facts and the law,” said Minister Tong
“And no one is above the law. Not the Leader of the Opposition. Not any Minister,” he emphasised.
“There is no separate court for politicians.”
