Lawyer Lim Tean returns to court to face fresh charges after alleged abscondment
The opposition politician appeared via videolink.
Singapore's opposition politician and lawyer Lim Tean returned to court on Friday (Oct 9) to face fresh charges following his alleged abscondment from the country. The 61-year-old appeared via videolink to receive the new allegations. CNA is currently investigating the specifics of the charges. In July 2024, Lim was convicted for practicing law without a valid practising certificate.
He served a six-week jail term and a S$1,000 fine in February 2025. In February 2026, the High Court dismissed his appeal and extended his sentence to three months and one week. Lim was supposed to report to the State Courts on Aug 3 to begin his sentence, but failed to appear and left Singapore while on bail. A warrant for his arrest was issued.
He was subsequently arrested in Johor Bahru and handed over to the Singapore Police Force on Aug 11. As a result of his alleged abscondment, the bailor, Leong Sze Hian, had to forfeit S$45,000. Lim was declared bankrupt in April and was also fined S$30,000 for mishandling a former client's funds in a disciplinary matter. Apart from the current charges, Lim faces several other pending criminal allegations.
Two individuals, Sulaiman Muhammad Firdaus and Mohammad Adam Abd Karim, have also been charged with conspiring to help Lim leave Singapore illegally. Their cases are ongoing, and both are scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
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