Ex-S'pore Idol judge Ken Lim appeals conviction & 13-month jail sentence

Ken Lim Chih Chiang, a former Singapore Idol judge, has appealed his conviction and a 13-month jail sentence for allegedly molesting a 25-year-old woman in 2021. The 62-year-old was found guilty on one count of molestation in September 2025 and sentenced in November 2025. The court determined Lim to be untruthful in his defense.

His legal team argued that the victim fabricated her claims and should have her statements closely examined. The High Court's Justice Hoo Sheau Peng has reserved her judgment and will decide on the appeal at a later date.

In November 2021, the alleged molestation occurred during Lim's third meeting with the woman at his Hype Records office. The woman claimed that Lim asked her to kiss him, which she did, but expressed disgust afterward. She then said he asked her to kiss him again passionately and that she shouldn't make a face. Lim allegedly groped her breast inside her clothing for a few seconds before removing his hand, according to the court.

The defense argued that such actions were improbable within a few seconds, citing their repeated attempts without success.

Despite the alleged molestation, the victim reportedly spoke with Lim for 10 minutes after the incident and walked together, captured on CCTV footage. She also hugged him before leaving, although she claimed to only hug close friends initially but later admitted to doing so with other acquaintances. Lim's lawyer questioned the consistency of the victim's statements, arguing that his defense could not be effective if all discrepancies were dismissed.

The prosecution countered that the victim had been highly consistent and that his lawyer was raising inconsistencies unnecessarily. They also argued that there was no evidence to support the victim's claim that the act of molestation was impossible, even if it was awkward.