Lim Tean arrested in Johor Bahru days after failing to surrender in Singapore to begin jail term

Singaporean lawyer Lim Tean was apprehended by Malaysian police in Johor Bahru on August 6, according to the Singapore Police Force (SPF). This arrest occurred three days after Lim was scheduled to surrender in Singapore to serve a jail term for practicing law without a valid certificate.

The SPF is collaborating with the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) to ensure Lim's return to Singapore. The SPF expressed gratitude to Malaysian authorities for their prompt assistance.

Lim's lawyer, Mr Revi Shanker, was contacted by CNA but declined to comment. It was reported that Lim was unresponsive and his bailor also failed to reach him. Mr Shanker stated that this behavior was unlike Lim.

According to CNA, Lim was originally ordered to surrender on July 20 to begin his three-month and one-week jail term. However, the Court of Appeal postponed his sentence to August 3. Lim was convicted in July 2024 by Senior District Judge Ong Hian Sun after a trial. His original sentence was six weeks in jail and a S$1,000 fine, but it was increased after the judge deemed the original sentence manifestly inadequate.

Lim, the founder of Peoples Voice and secretary-general of People's Alliance for Reform, an opposition parties alliance, was declared bankrupt in April. In the same month, he was fined S$30,000 for mishandling a former client's money. Lim secured third place in the General Election last year in Potong Pasir SMC, behind Alex Yeo of the People's Action Party and Williamson Lee of the Singapore People's Party.