Lim Tean arrested in JB without passport, refused to open door for 2 hours: Shin Min

More details have emerged regarding Lim Tean's arrest in Johor Bahru, Malaysia on Aug. 6.

According to Shin Min Daily News, information about Lim's arrest in Malaysia was provided by a source who tipped the Chinese media off.

Another person allegedly assisted Lim in booking a place

Another person had reportedly helped Lim, 61, book a rental apartment in JB.

Lim apparently arrived at the apartment in JB on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

The man who booked the apartment on behalf of Lim arrived a day earlier on Aug. 3 afternoon to pick up the key.

Aug. 3 was the day Lim was supposed to surrender and serve his jail term.

Lim was apparently supposed to stay till Aug. 7 and check out, but got arrested a day before that could happen.

Did not open door to police

Malaysian police arrived at Lim's rented apartment at about 2pm on Thursday, Aug. 6.

Lim did not open the door for the next two hours.

The apartment's owner was called to get him to open the door.

The door was opened and Lim was asked to produce his passport, but he reportedly could not produce one.

Shin Min reported that Lim was wearing a red shirt and black trousers at the time of his arrest at about 5pm.

His hair was dishevelled, and he looked haggard.

Only went out to pick up food

The source that tipped Shin Min off further claimed that Lim only went out twice a day to pick up meals ordered via takeout delivery.

However, he was still recognised as the area in JB is frequented by Singaporeans.

It is understood that the apartment is very popular with Singaporeans, it was reported.

Background

Lim is the secretary-general of the People’s Alliance for Reform.

He has been a lawyer for more than 35 years.

He was sentenced to six weeks’ jail and a S$1,000 fine in February 2025 after being convicted in July 2024 of three charges under the Legal Profession Act.

Even though he did not have a valid practising certificate, he had attended court hearings and submitted documents on 32 occasions between April and June 2021.

In February 2026, the High Court judge increased Lim’s jail sentence to three months and a week.

This was after he appealed in the High Court against his conviction and sentence.

Prosecutors filed an appeal to increase his jail term to five to eight months.

Separately, in April 2026, Lim was fined S$30,000 in a disciplinary case over his handling of a S$30,000 cheque meant for his client.

The Law Society of Singapore wanted Lim struck off the rolls.

Lim argued before the Court of Three Judges for “a very small fine”.

The court decided on a "heavier fine", citing his cavalier attitude towards lawyers’ obligations in handling clients’ money and his more than 25 years of experience as a senior practitioner at the time.

The Singapore courts told Mothership previously that Lim was to surrender at 12pm on Jul. 20 to start his jail term.

On Jul. 17, the Court of Appeal approved a request from Lim to defer his sentence.

He was ordered to surrender at 12pm on Aug. 3 instead.

But when he did not turn up and was uncontactable, a warrant of arrest was issued.