S'pore Courts: Lim Tean requested sentence deferment 3 days before start of jail term on Jul. 20, then became absent on Aug. 3

Lim Tean, a 61-year-old Singaporean lawyer and politician, failed to surrender to court to start his jail term on Aug. 3, 2026 and an arrest warrant has been issued.

Both Lim's lawyer and bailor could not reach Lim, it was reported.

In response to Mothership's queries, a Singapore Courts spokesperson provided a statement to chronicle the sequence of events leading to a warrant to arrest being issued.

• On Jul. 6, 2026, Lim's criminal motion was summarily dismissed, and he was directed to surrender on Jul. 20 at 12pm at the State Courts 4A to commence his sentence of imprisonment.
• On Jul. 17, the Court of Appeal approved the accused’s request for a deferment of sentence, and directed the accused to surrender on Aug. 3, at 12pm, at State Courts 4A to commence his sentence of imprisonment.
• The accused did not surrender at State Courts 4A on Aug. 3 at 12 pm.
• A warrant to arrest was subsequently issued on Aug. 3.
• A further mention was fixed on Aug. 17 at 3pm for post-warrant to arrest review and the surety to show cause why the bail sum should not be forfeited.
• The accused was represented by counsel at the State Courts at a case conference on Aug. 4 at 10am, as the accused faces other pending charges.
• The case conference was adjourned to Aug. 17 at 3pm for post-warrant to arrest review.