Two Singaporean men are expected to be charged today over an alleged conspiracy to help convicted opposition politician and lawyer Lim Tean leave Singapore for Malaysia in an attempt to evade justice.
The Singapore Police Force said preliminary investigations found that the suspects, aged 37 and 44, had allegedly made arrangements for Lim to leave the country under circumstances intended to defeat the course of justice.
Both men are facing one count each of conspiracy to commit an act likely to defeat the course of justice, knowing that their actions could have such an effect. If found guilty, they could each face up to seven years in prison, a fine, or both.
Lim was arrested in Johor Bahru on Thursday after Singapore authorities issued an arrest warrant against him. He had failed to surrender on Aug 3 to begin serving a prison sentence imposed following his conviction for practising law without a valid practising certificate.
The 2024 conviction involved three offences under Singapore’s Legal Profession Act. Lim was initially sentenced to six weeks in jail and fined S$1,000 in February 2025.
However, his sentence was subsequently increased by the High Court to three months and one week in February this year after the prosecution filed an appeal. The offences were linked to Lim appearing at court hearings and submitting documents on 32 occasions between April and June 2021 without holding a valid practising certificate.
The case has attracted attention because of Lim’s political profile, with the lawyer serving as secretary-general of the People’s Alliance for Reform and founder of opposition party Peoples Voice.
Authorities are continuing to pursue the legal proceedings as the allegations surrounding the men’s actions are brought before the courts. The two suspects will have the opportunity to respond to the charges through the judicial process.
