Lim Tean, 61, declared a bankrupt

Singaporean politician, Lim Tean, 61, has been declared bankrupt.

He was listed, in a list published by the Ministry of Law, as a person against whom a bankruptcy order had been made on Apr. 2, 2026.

Lim's name also appeared in a more recent Apr. 10, 2026 list published in the Government Gazette of persons against whom a bankruptcy order had been made on Apr. 2, 2026.

A bankruptcy order in Singapore is a court order declaring an individual insolvent, usually when debts exceed S$15,000.

It can be initiated by creditors or the debtor themselves.

The Official Assignee (OA) or a private trustee takes control of assets of the bankrupt to repay creditors.

Bankrupts must submit a Statement of Affairs, adhere to travel restrictions, and pay monthly contributions.

Lim is the founder of opposition party Peoples Voice (PV).

He is also a co-founder of the People’s Alliance for Reform (PAR), an alliance that PV is a part of.

In response to Mothership's queries, Lim said: "I have settled it and I am not a bankrupt. I will sue if there is any allegation that I have been bankrupted."

Ministry of Law response

In response to media queries, the Ministry of Law told Mothership on Apr. 10:

A bankruptcy order was made against Mr Lim Tean by the Court on Apr. 2, 2026. Based on our checks of the Court file this evening, no further order has been made.

The Ministry of Law does not have information on whether Mr Lim Tean has settled his debts.

In any event, the Official Assignee has not issued any certificate to annul the bankruptcy order or to discharge Mr Lim Tean from bankruptcy. As far as we are aware, the Court has also not made any order annulling the bankruptcy order or to discharge Mr Lim Tean from bankruptcy.

To be discharged from bankruptcy (which is different from a bankruptcy order being annulled), a bankrupt must apply to the Court. The Official Assignee can also issue a certificate to discharge a bankrupt from bankruptcy if the bankrupt has paid his target contribution in full and a specified period has passed after the administration date of the bankruptcy.

Recent legal troubles

The Law Society of Singapore on Jan. 23, 2026 sought to get Lim struck off the rolls.

This was after Lim had deposited a S$30,000 cheque from AXA Insurance meant for his client into the bank account of his own firm, Carson Law Chambers, on Nov. 15, 2019.

However, Lim's client had already discharged him two days earlier.

The sum was interim payment for a S$50,000 judgment awarded to the client for a traffic accident claim.

The Court of Three Supreme Court Judges found that a financial penalty of S$30,000 was the "appropriate sanction" given Lim's status as a senior practitioner with over 25 years of experience at the material time.

Costs were fixed at $12,000, to be borne by Lim, according to the written judgement on Apr. 10, 2026.

The Law Society of Singapore had asked for Lim to be struck off the roll of advocates and solicitors, or for him to be suspended from practice for a period of five years and to be fined S$30,000.

Lim was described in the judgement to have displayed a "cavalier attitude towards the responsibilities incumbent on solicitors to manage and handle client moneys in accordance with the applicable rules".

In a separate case, Lim had his jail term increased by the High Court on Feb. 23, 2026 to three months and a week.

He was originally found guilty of three charges for practising law over more than two months in 2021 without a valid certificate.

He was initially given a six-week jail term and a S$1,000 fine in February 2025.

He appealed to the High Court, while the prosecution appealed for a higher sentence.

Lim's lawyer previously said Lim was considering appealing to the Court of Appeal against his enhanced sentence.

Top photo via Lim Tean YouTube