Pritam Singh: 'You can't bind me with a piece of sewing thread' | Committee of Privileges

WP chief Pritam Singh testified on Friday before a committee investigating a lie made in Parliament by Ms Raeesah Khan. The 9-hour hearing saw many testy exchanges between the Leader of the Opposition and Minister Edwin Tong. Read more: str.sg/3fRz
WHETHER MS KHAN WAS GOING TO OWN UP IN OCTOBER
Mr Tong put forth that Mr Singh had said that regardless of whether Ms Khan's lie was brought up in Parliament during an Oct 4 sitting, she should clarify the truth on her own accord.
To Mr Tong, this meant that Mr Singh knew that the matter would be raised then, which contradicted an earlier statement the WP chief made - that because he was unsure whether the issue would come up, he saw no need to inform the party central executive committee or review her draft statement.
"You would have no doubt that… either way, this issue will come up in Parliament," Mr Tong said. "The two ways are: either someone asks Ms Khan a question; or if not then she would stand up on her own."
Mr Singh said "not the latter", reiterating that he had told Ms Khan to take responsibility and ownership if the issue came up, and that Mr Tong had made a "completely wrong interpretation" of his position.
"It's a clever try," said Mr Singh. "You're trying to catch me in a gotcha moment… I'm sorry, Mr. Tong, you're a good lawyer. But I'm a good listener."
When Mr Tong reiterated his point - that Mr Singh had said Ms Khan would have told the truth on her own volition - the WP chief said: "No, that's not my evidence."
Mr Tong then said Mr Singh was changing his evidence because he had realised the "bind" he was in.
"Nice try, Mr Tong. That's all I'm saying," Mr Singh replied. "You can't bind me with a piece of sewing thread, because that's what it is."
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