Defence lawyer says judge erred in convicting O.K. Lim of cheating; prosecution disagrees

The criminal trial judge erred in convicting Hin Leong founder Lim Oon Kuin of cheating and forgery charges, Senior Counsel Davinder Singh said, arguing for his client’s appeal against his prison sentence at a High Court hearing on Oct 24.

- Grace Leong Senior Correspondent

Former oil tycoon Lim Oon Kuin arriving at the Supreme Court on Oct 24. Lim, who has been sentenced to 17 years and six months' jail on charges of cheating and forgery, is appealing against his prison sentence.

(ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG)

The 83-year-old had earlier been sentenced to 17 years and six months’ jail on three charges of cheating and forgery, following a 62-day criminal trial. The case has been hailed as “one of the most serious cases of trade financing fraud” in Singapore.

Lim, a legend in Singapore's oil industry, in November 2024 appealed against the conviction and sentences imposed, with his lawyers seeking a seven-year jail term.

They argued that, given his age, a 20-year sentence, which the prosecution sought, was akin toa life sentence.

Even with a one-third remission of his sentence, Lim would be released from prison only when he is 94 or 95 years old.

On Oct 24, Mr Singh told High Court Justice Hoo Sheau Peng there was no evidence that the former oil tycoon — better known as O.K. Lim ~ had given instructions to Hin Leong staff to submit fraudulent discounting applications to HSBC to induce the bank into disbursing some US$IL6 million (S$145 million) to the oil trader.

He also argued there was no evidence that the amounts of money stated in the charges were delivered.