Ex-Singapore Idol judge Ken Lim sentenced to 13 months’ jail for molesting woman at workplace in 2021

SINGAPORE: Former Singapore Idol judge Ken Lim Chih Chiang was sentenced to 13 months’ jail on 18 November 2025 for molesting a 25-year-old woman during an interview in 2021.

According to court findings, Lim had abused his position when the incident occurred at his Hype Records office.

Principal District Judge Lee Lit Cheng concluded that the victim was a credible witness.

She stated that Lim’s account was “untruthful” during the contested proceedings.

The victim had attended three interviews with Lim in 2021.

The molestation occurred during the final session, held at the Hype Records premises.

In her testimony, the victim said Lim first asked her to kiss him as part of what she believed was a test.

She complied, but he instructed her not to make a disgusted expression and told her to kiss him again.

The victim said that during the second kiss, Lim groped her before withdrawing his hand.

She stepped away and refused further advances, stating that his requests went against her morals.

Judge Lee highlighted the skin-on-skin contact and the circumstances that allowed the offence. She noted that Lim had created an environment where the victim felt obliged to comply.

The judge said Lim leveraged his position as interviewer and decision-maker.

He referenced well-known local celebrities and emphasised his industry experience to project authority.

According to Judge Lee, Lim also presented himself as a mentor. He told the victim he wanted a “very close” mentor-mentee relationship and requested openness from her.

These actions created a context in which the victim believed the role-play request was part of the interview. Lim then used this situation to commit the act of molestation.

Judge Lee said the victim was vulnerable as an interviewee seeking career opportunities. This contributed to her reluctance to report the incident promptly.

The inherent power imbalance increased Lim’s likelihood of evading accountability. The judge found this to be an aggravating factor in sentencing.

As Lim is over 50, he cannot be caned. The court therefore imposed one month’s imprisonment in lieu of three strokes of the cane.

Judge Lee said Lim was not eligible for a sentencing discount because he had claimed trial. She also noted that he had shown no remorse in his defence.

Lim’s lead lawyer, Senior Counsel Tan Chee Meng from WongPartnership, stated that Lim will appeal. He is currently out on bail pending the outcome.

Lim previously faced a set of five accusations made by different women. This case involved molestation, while the remaining matters pertained to insulting the modesty of women.

In his first trial, Lim had been acquitted of making sexual comments to a songwriter in 2012. Following the latest conviction, the prosecution moved to withdraw the remaining charges.

Lead prosecutor James Chew made the request under Section 147(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code. This provision allows prosecutors to withdraw other charges once a conviction has been secured.

The court approved the withdrawal. As a result, the three remaining scheduled trials will no longer proceed.

For outrage of modesty, the law provides for up to two years’ jail or a fine.