Lim Tean, 61, handed 3 new charges for allegedly absconding from S'pore while on bail

Lawyer and opposition politician Lim Tean, 61, received three new charges in court on Oct. 9 for allegedly absconding from Singapore while on bail.

Lim was supposed to surrender himself on Aug. 3 to begin his jail term for practising law without a valid certificate, but he failed to show up.

He was later arrested at an apartment complex in Johor Bahru on Aug. 6 and deported back to Singapore on Aug. 11.

Three new charges

According to a Singapore Police Force (SPF) news release, Lim was handed three new charges in relation to his abscondment.

First was for failing to surrender himself to custody knowingly and without reasonable excuse, which carries a fine, jail term of up to three years, or both.

Second was for leaving Singapore and failing to present a valid passport or evidence of his identity or Singapore Citizenship at the point of departure, which carries a fine of up to S$2,000, jail term of up to six months, or both.

Third was for his attempt to avoid serving a court-imposed jail sentence, which carries a fine, jail term of up to seven years, or both.

In total, Lim now faces seven charges.

His other charges include two for criminal breach of trust in relation to his law firm business, one for unlawful stalking, and one for refusing to answer a public servant during questioning.

Previous conviction and jail sentence

Lim was previously convicted on Jul. 26, 2024, of three charges under the Legal Profession Act for practicing law without a valid certificate.

He was initially handed six weeks' jail and a S$1,000 fine.

The sentence was enhanced on Feb. 23, 2026, to three months and one week imprisonment following an appeal by the prosecution.

Lim was declared bankrupt in April.

He was ordered to surrender at the State Courts on Jul. 20, 2026, to begin his sentence, but he successfully applied for a deferment.

He was then ordered to surrender on Aug. 3, 2026, but he failed to do so.

During the course of this case, Lim was out on bail and surrendered his passport to the police as a condition of bail.

When he was arrested in Johor, he was not in possession of his passport.

His bailor eventually forfeited S$45,000.

CNA reported that Lim appeared in court on Oct. 9 via video link.

A pre-trial conference for his case will take place on Oct. 23.