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Malaysian fugitive nabbed after 38 years on the run charged with firearm possession

Seow Lam Seng (in white), 63, being escorted by the police to the State Courts on Monday (26 March). (PHOTO: Suhaile Md / Yahoo News Singapore)
Seow Lam Seng (in white), 63, being escorted by the police to the State Courts on Monday (26 March). (PHOTO: Suhaile Md / Yahoo News Singapore)

On an October afternoon in 1980, Seow Lam Seng and Lee Ah Fatt were stopped by two police officers along Tanjong Katong Road.

The spot check turned deadly when Seow was found to be carrying a pistol and Lee drew his own gun on the officers. In response, one of the policemen drew his service revolver and fired on Lee – who continued to struggle with the officers despite being shot.

Amid the commotion, Seow fled the scene. Lee later died of his injuries.

For 38 years the Singapore Police Force regularly reviewed the case in hopes of tracing Seow’s whereabouts. Finally, on 22 March, he was arrested in Penang, Malaysia, with the assistance of the Royal Malaysia Police.

The 63-year-old Malaysian was extradited to Singapore two days later and was charged in the State Courts on Monday (26 March) with one count under the Arms Offences Act for unlawfully carrying a pistol. If convicted, Seow could face life imprisonment.

According to court documents, the incident took place at around 2.30pm on 3 October 1980 at a staircase next to the Sin Po Po Bar.

“The arrest and extradition of the suspect after 38 years on the run would not be possible without the strong support from the Royal Malaysia Police, our closest crime-fighting partner,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigations and Intelligence) Tan Chye Hee in a news release on Sunday.