Two men who allegedly helped Lim Tean escape to Johor charged

Two Singaporeans, Mohammad Adam Abd Karim and Sulaiman Muhammad Firdaus, were charged in court on August 8, 2025, for allegedly aiding lawyer Lim Tean in escaping Singapore. Lim was due to begin his jail term on August 3 for practicing law without a valid certificate. The two men, aged 44 and 37 respectively, were each charged with one count of engaging in a conspiracy that could undermine the course of justice.

According to court documents, they had organized Lim's escape on August 4. No details were provided on the specifics of their actions. Lim was apprehended by the Royal Malaysia Police in Johor Bahru on August 6, following a warrant for his failure to appear in court in Singapore. The Singapore Police Force stated the following day that they were collaborating with the Royal Malaysia Police to ensure Lim's return to Singapore.

Lim was convicted of three charges under the Legal Profession Act in July 2024 and sentenced to six weeks' jail and a $1,000 fine in February 2025. He had made court appearances and submitted documents on 32 occasions between April and June 2021, all while lacking a valid practising certificate. He later appealed his conviction and sentence in the High Court, which was upheld in February 2026, increasing his sentence to three months and one week.

In April 2026, Lim was fined $30,000 for mishandling a $30,000 cheque intended for a client. The trials of Adam and Sulaiman will resume on August 14. For obstructing the course of justice, the penalty can include up to seven years in jail, a fine, or both.