A GP has been censured by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) for possessing and consuming an illegal drug.

Dr Mervin Lim, 37, was also ordered to pay the costs of the disciplinary tribunal enquiry against him.

In February 2011, Dr Lim was convicted of possessing 0.37 grams of methamphetamine, or Ice as it is more commonly known, and utensils used for drug consumption. He was sentenced to a year in jail, but was released after eight months for good behaviour. He was also detained in the Drug Rehabilitation Unit for four months prior to conviction.

In a statement on Monday morning, the SMC said that the general practitioner's sentence was mitigated by several factors. These included his early plea of guilt and the fact that the offence was committed "on the spur of the moment, during a momentary lapse in judgment". The SMC also took into consideration the fact that Dr Lim had been effectively stopped from practising during the period of his detention and jail term.