Lim Tean deported from M’sia to S’pore to start jail term

Singaporean lawyer and politician Lim Tean was deported from Malaysia to Singapore and arrested by the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on Aug. 11, 2026.

SPF said Lim had failed to surrender to the State Courts on Aug. 3 to begin serving his prison term, instead leaving Singapore illegally while on court bail.

Lim was sentenced by the District Court on Feb. 17, 2025, to six weeks’ imprisonment and a S$1,000 fine for three charges of carrying out acts as an advocate or solicitor without a valid practising certificate.

Following appeals by Lim against his conviction and sentence, and by the prosecution against the sentence, the High Court increased his sentence to three months and one week’s imprisonment on Feb. 23, 2026.

After the Court of Appeal dismissed Lim’s application to refer questions of law of public interest on Jul. 6, he was ordered to surrender at the State Courts on Aug. 3 to begin serving his sentence.

He failed to turn up, and a warrant of arrest was issued the same day.

Lim was arrested in Malaysia by the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) on Aug. 6 and handed over to the SPF on Aug. 11.

Investigations into the circumstances of his illegal departure are ongoing.

Two Singaporean men were previously charged in court on Aug. 8 for allegedly conspiring to arrange for Lim to illegally leave Singapore for Malaysia.

Director of CAD, Peggy Pao said: “The police are resolved to pursue and bring to justice those who commit crimes in Singapore, regardless of where they flee. We will continue to work closely with our wide network of overseas law enforcement partners to locate, arrest and secure the return of criminals to face justice in Singapore. I would like to thank the RMP for their prompt assistance in this case."