Leong Sze Hian's $45,000 bail for Lim Tean to be forfeited
Blogger and financial adviser Leong Sze Hian forfeited his $45,000 bail posted for lawyer Lim Tean on Thursday (Sept 17), after the Court found that he had failed to fulfil his obligations as surety.The amount comprises $30,000 in monetary security for one case and $15,000 in non-monetary security for another.Arguing against the forfeiture, Leong, 72, said he had done his best in fulfilling his duties, pointing out that he had contacted Lim on Aug 2, a day before the 61-year-old lawyer was to surrender himself.Leong added that there was "constant contact" between him and Lim, including when Lim was required to be present at the police station or in court.He also said that there was communication between Lim and his lawyer, up to the day he was supposed to surrender himself."So given the circumstances, I had no reason to believe that he was going to run away," Leong told the court.Under the Criminal Procedure Code, a bailor is required to keep in daily communication with the released person and lodge a police report within 24 hours, if contact is lost with the person on bail.