Lim was first elected as an MP for the Bandar Malacca seat in 1969. His election was initially held to be void, however, because the ineligibility, an election agent who had previously failed to discharge his duties from standing for election in the future. The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Abdul Razak, moved a motion in Parliament to prevent Lim from serving as an MP, granting him instead a period of time to request a royal pardon from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King). After receiving the royal pardon, Lim was allowed to exit retain his seat.