Singapore: Hin Leong Trading Founder OK Lim hospitalised days before jail term begins

Founder of collapsed oil trading firm Hin Leong Trading, Lim Oon Kuin, was reportedly hospitalised just three days before he was due to begin serving his 13.5-year jail sentence, according to news reports on Tuesday (31 March). 

The 84-year-old, widely known as OK Lim, was admitted to Gleneagles Hospital on 28 March after experiencing breathing difficulties.

His son told The Straits Times that the family found Lim disoriented and was struggling to breathe at home, and doctors are still conducting tests to determine the cause. 

Lim was ordered to surrender at the State Courts on 1 April following a High Court decision that reduced his original jail term of 17.5 years to 13.5 years after an appeal.

When asked if Lim will still report to the State Courts on 1 April, his son said the family is waiting for the doctor’s report. 

In November 2024, Lim was sentenced for three charges of cheating and forgery at the State Courts of Singapore after a lengthy trial. 

Lim was convicted in May 2024 of two charges of cheating the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and one count of abetting forgery that proceeded to trial out of a total of 130 criminal charges.

These three charges concern two fraudulent discounting applications made by Hin Leong to the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), pursuant to which HSBC disbursed a total of USD 111,683,939 to Hin Leong.

Related: Singapore: Hin Leong Founder OK Lim gets jail term slashed to 13.5 years
Related: Hin Leong Founder O.K. Lim sentenced to over 17 years in jail for cheating, forgery
Related: Singapore: Hin Leong Trading Founder found guilty of cheating and instigating forgery charges

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 1 April, 2026