O.K. Lim’s medical conditions and wheelchair dependence will be factored into his prison housing and care upon conviction.
Hin Leong founder Lim Oon Kuin, known as O.K. Lim, will face a medical assessment by the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) if his appeal against his 17-year and six-month sentence for cheating and forgery is unsuccessful. Lim, 82, who is reliant on a wheelchair and suffers from multiple medical conditions, including coronary artery disease, cerebral vascular disease, and cognitive impairment, will be evaluated to determine his housing and medical needs upon admission.
SPS clarified that all inmates, regardless of their circumstances, are assessed by a medical officer upon entry. This includes considerations for mobility issues and any chronic medical conditions. Based on the medical officer’s evaluation, Lim could be assigned to a medical ward for closer monitoring or placed in the Assisted Living Correctional Unit (ALCU), which is specifically designed for inmates with physical disabilities or mobility challenges.
The ALCU, located at Changi Prison, features retrofitted cells with accessibility features like grab bars, anti-slip floors, and wheelchair-friendly facilities. Inmates who need additional support are provided with walking aids or wheelchairs, and staff receive basic caregiver training to assist those with specific needs.
Despite Lim’s advanced age and health concerns, SPS indicated that mobility is the primary factor in determining the need for specialized housing, not age alone. Lim’s medical conditions will be continuously monitored, with follow-up healthcare appointments arranged to ensure proper treatment throughout his incarceration.
