Didn't expect that I would wake up to a "summary" of the explosive parliamentary inquisition of Raeesah Khan and her aides by social media personality @Xiaxue. Obviously she detests Khan ("go woke go broke"). This is the start... saga is all SG is going to talk abt for a while. https://t.co/pQ6CqWUC5v
Still on this, which has morphed from being an esoteric political issue to #Singapore's biggest talking point today.
Here ➡️ a veteran WP member points out "facts" on the timing of last night's press release/video dump and the investigation's current incomplete state. https://t.co/B5Y5k1kK3l
ST opinion editor asks many questions in this piece and wonders if one or more of incumbent WP MPs could face censure for this saga.
Shld have also asked why PAP-dominated Committee of Privileges released a "special report" while probe still ongoing.
https://t.co/kGjB0u9vEQ
There was a division within committee on whether the special report and footage should be released, with the WP's sole COP member Dennis Tan dissenting.
Wld be gd to have transcript of committee deliberations on this matter -- arguments for and against releasing interim report.
Also interested if witnesses were told abt plan to pub special report.
Ms Low asked for "guarantee" tt WA chats wld be for COP eyes only. TCJ: "Yes we can do tt... shld there be a need to make any things public... this one we will clarify and make sure tt we clear that w you."
Immediately after, Edwin Tong added: "Ms Low, the proceedings are confidential as we have told you y'day as well. The thing is that we are a body tt has been set up by parl to make findings and we have to report to parl. So to the extent that things are relevant to.... [cot'd] ⬇️
the issues that we face, we do have to report to parl and to that extent it goes to parl and becomes public. And I think that is unavoidable, that's our duty."
Watch from 11:58 to 13:33
https://t.co/KViKeztdDG
Two assertions:
1. COP chair @chuanjin1, speaking on evidence tendered, suggests confidentiality can be kept
2. @edwintongcf says while proceedings are confidential, COP findings go to parliament and thereon can become public.
My qn: Can it/shld it become public at this stage?
ST has a comment from the Clerk of Parliament on the special report's release. We know abt COP's prerogatives.
But why release on Fri night after 3 witnesses? To use a word Edwin Tong used to describe the WP DP's probe, wldn't interim special report paint a "jaundiced" picture? https://t.co/PdJeZyfw5k
Senior lawyer Lian Chuan Yeoh wrote to Edwin Tong to flag his misinterpretation of Pritam Singh's words in Dec 2 presscon, based on media reports.
My comment: WP uploaded presscon footage on Dec 2 night. COP cld have referred to that on Dec 3 sted of using paraphrased reports. https://t.co/hKR9EelltT
More on this saga (anyone come up with a hashtag yet?)
COP says its decision to release special report on Friday night, after two days of hearings and with further proceedings scheduled, was to keep Parl informed "in a timely manner when appropriate". https://t.co/lEezyoI4Xq