Court stays Edmund Chen’s jail sentence pending appeal, bail increased to S$15,000

SINGAPORE: The courts have allowed former actor Edmund Chen’s five-day jail sentence over his role in a traffic accident to be stayed pending the outcome of his appeal.

Chen, 64, identified in court records as Tan Kai Yuan, appeared at the State Courts on 6 February 2026. This was days after he filed an appeal against the custodial sentence earlier in the week.

District Judge Shawn Ho granted Chen’s application to stay the execution of his sentence. The judge also ordered Chen’s bail to be increased from S$10,000 to S$15,000.

According to court proceedings, the stay applies to both the jail sentence and the driving disqualification. Chen had earlier been barred from driving for five years.

Judge Ho had imposed the five-day jail term on 29 January 2026.

This was despite the prosecution seeking only a fine ranging from S$3,000 to S$5,000.

Chen had pleaded guilty to one charge of causing grievous hurt. The offence involved driving without due consideration for other road users.

The charge stemmed from a traffic accident involving a 21-year-old motorcyclist. The collision resulted in the motorcyclist suffering multiple wrist fractures.

Chen was originally scheduled to begin serving his sentence on 9 March 2026. Judge Ho had earlier granted a deferment to allow him to settle personal matters after Chinese New Year.

During the 6 February hearing, Chen was represented by new lawyers Kelvin Ong and Dickson Chew from Contigo Law. He discharged his previous counsel from Invictus Law.

Mr Ong told the court that the defence was seeking a stay of execution pending the appeal. This included both the custodial sentence and the driving ban.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Stephen Yeo requested an increase in bail. He noted that Chen had been convicted and now faced a custodial sentence.

However, DPP Yeo said the prosecution would leave the amount to the court’s discretion. Mr Ong suggested that bail be increased to no more than S$15,000.

Judge Ho ultimately allowed the increase to S$15,000. The stay of sentence was granted pending the outcome of the appeal.

The court previously heard that the accident occurred at around noon on 4 March 2025. Chen was driving along the Ayer Rajah Expressway towards the Central Expressway.

Just before the collision, Chen slowed his car almost to a complete stop on the expressway. He then filtered abruptly into another lane.

According to the prosecution, Chen had failed to form up in the correct lane earlier. Despite this, he attempted to enter the CTE and Seletar Expressway by braking suddenly.

DPP Yeo said Chen filtered across a chevron marking, which is prohibited. This manoeuvre was described as a breach of expressway safety rules.

A motorcyclist travelling behind Chen swerved in an attempt to avoid the car. Despite this, the motorcycle crashed into Chen’s vehicle.

The motorcyclist was taken to hospital and underwent surgery for multiple wrist fractures. He was hospitalised for two days.

He was subsequently given 99 days of hospitalisation leave. The court was told that he did not suffer any permanent disability.

In sentencing Chen, Judge Ho characterised the driving behaviour as intentional violations of specific safety rules. These rules, he said, were designed to prevent high-speed collisions.

“A driver who chooses to ignore expressway restrictions demonstrates a cavalier disregard for the significant risk of a high-impact crash,” Judge Ho said during sentencing.

Following the conclusion of the hearing, Chen appeared emotional when speaking to reporters. He said he wished to apologise to the injured motorcyclist.

He added that the incident had been a lesson and reminder for him to be mindful of traffic safety. Chen said he regretted the harm caused.

In a Facebook post dated 30 January 2026, Chen reiterated his apology.

He said he was sincerely sorry for the injury and inconvenience suffered by the rider.

Chen also expressed regret for the worry caused to the motorcyclist’s family. He said he had reflected seriously on the incident and respected the legal process.

The former actor added that the case had been an important lesson. He said he would continue to act with greater care and responsibility, particularly regarding road safety.

Chen was once a household name in local television. He appeared in popular drama series such as Star Maiden and Patrol.

He left the entertainment industry to care for his daughter Chen Yixin after her birth in 2000. He later returned for occasional acting roles.

These included an appearance in the television drama Life Less Ordinary in 2017. Chen is married to veteran actress Xiang Yun.

Xiang Yun is known for her roles in classic local dramas such as The Awakening, Double Happiness and The Little Nyonya. Their children, including son Chen Xi, are also in show business.