Singapore politician and lawyer Lim Tean was allegedly arrested in Johor Bahru (JB), Malaysia, after reportedly failing to produce a passport and refusing to open the door of a rented apartment for about two hours, according to new details published by Shin Min Daily News.
According to Shin Min Daily News, The latest developments shed more light on Lim’s arrest on Aug. 6, just days after he failed to surrender to begin serving a jail sentence in Singapore. The report cited a source familiar with the incident, although the information has not been independently verified by the Singapore authorities.
Lim, 61, is the secretary-general of the People’s Alliance for Reform and has been a practising lawyer for more than three decades.
Apartment allegedly booked by another person
According to the report, another individual had helped Lim secure a short-term rental apartment in Johor Bahru.
The source claimed the individual collected the keys on Aug. 3, while Lim reportedly arrived at the apartment the following day, Aug. 4.
The rental was reportedly intended to last until Aug. 7, but his stay was cut short when Malaysian police arrested him on Aug. 6.
The timeline is significant because Lim had been ordered by Singapore’s courts to surrender on Aug. 3 to begin serving his jail sentence after receiving a deferment from an earlier reporting date.
Police reportedly waited two hours
Shin Min reported that Malaysian police arrived at the apartment at around 2pm on Aug. 6.
However, Lim allegedly refused to answer the door for approximately two hours.
The apartment owner was eventually contacted and asked to assist in getting the occupant to open the unit.
When the door was finally opened, officers reportedly requested Lim’s passport. According to the report, he was unable to produce the document.
Witnesses quoted by the newspaper said Lim was wearing a red shirt and black trousers during the arrest. He was also described as looking tired, with dishevelled hair.
Rarely left the apartment
The source further alleged that Lim largely remained inside the apartment throughout his stay.
He was said to have only left twice daily to collect takeaway meals that had been delivered.
Despite keeping a low profile, he was reportedly recognised by Singaporeans in the area, as the apartment complex is said to be a popular accommodation choice for Singapore visitors travelling to Johor Bahru.
Missed jail surrender led to warrant
Lim was originally sentenced in February 2025 to six weeks’ imprisonment and a S$1,000 fine after being convicted under the Legal Profession Act for acting without a valid practising certificate.
The offences involved attending court hearings and filing legal documents on 32 occasions between April and June 2021 despite not holding a practising certificate.
In February 2026, the High Court increased his sentence to three months and one week after hearing appeals from both Lim and the prosecution. Prosecutors had sought an even longer custodial sentence of between five and eight months.
Separately, Lim was fined S$30,000 in April 2026 in a disciplinary case involving his handling of a client’s cheque. The Court of Three Judges rejected the Law Society of Singapore’s application to strike him off the legal profession but imposed what it described as a heavier financial penalty.
Although Lim had initially been ordered to begin serving his jail sentence on Jul. 20, the Court of Appeal granted his request to defer the reporting date until Aug. 3.
When he failed to surrender and could not be contacted, the Singapore courts issued a warrant for his arrest.
His subsequent arrest in Johor Bahru marks the latest development in the case, with further legal proceedings expected following his return to Singapore.