SINGAPORE - A 45-year-old Malaysian man has been arrested for his involvement in abetting Chew Eng Han's attempt to leave Singapore illegally last week.

Mr Khoo Kea Leng was arrested in Malaysia with the assistance of the Royal Malaysia Police, pursuant to a warrant of arrest issued by the Singapore State Courts, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said in a statement on Monday (Feb 26).

He was handed over to SPF's custody on Monday.

The Straits Times understands that he was arrested in Johor Baru. He is believed to have accepted money from Chew to facilitate the arrangements for him to leave Singapore. They are understood to have met in Singapore to discuss Chew's alleged escape.

Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SAC) Hsu Sin Yun, Commander of the Police Coast Guard, thanked the Royal Malaysia Police for "their swift efforts in locating and arresting the suspect".

"The arrest would not have been possible without the close collaboration and strong relationship between the SPF and the Royal Malaysia Police," he said.

"The SPF will spare no efforts to hunt down criminals who commit crimes in Singapore. We will work with our foreign law enforcement partners to bring these criminals to justice."

The former City Harvest Church fund manager, convicted of misusing church funds, was nabbed at sea on Feb 21.

Chew, 57, was due to begin his jail term of three years and four months on Feb 22.

However, he was arrested along with another man, 53-year-old Tan Poh Teck, at 8.47am on board a motorised sampan.

Chew, who is married with two children aged 17 and 27, was found with about $5,000 in cash and fishing equipment.