SINGAPORE — When Ho Yueh Keong agreed to drive triad leader Tan Chor Jin back to Malaysia from Singapore in February 2006, he had no idea that the latter had just gunned down a nightclub owner.

It was only when the two men were on their way to Woodlands Checkpoint that Ho learnt that Tan — infamously known as “One-eyed Dragon” because he was blind in his right eye — had shot Lim Hock Soon.

Ho, 43, who originally claimed trial for harbouring Tan, pleaded guilty to the charge yesterday. Another charge of intentionally omitting to give any information about the offence will be taken into consideration during sentencing. Ho had been on the run for nine years before he was arrested by Malaysian authorities and extradited back to Singapore last year.

Between 6.55am and 7.11am on Feb 15, 2006, Tan shot Lim in his flat at Serangoon Avenue 4. After the shooting, Tan returned to a flat in Hougang Avenue 10 and asked Ho to drive him back to Malaysia.

While they were on their way to the checkpoint, Ho overheard Tan telling someone over the phone that he had killed Lim.

After Tan hung up the phone, Ho asked Tan if he had killed Lim. Tan admitted that he shot Lim using his pistol, and threw it into a river.

Ho first drove Tan to his house in Johor Baru, then to Penang, where Tan told Ho that they are now “wanted” by the authorities. Ho then drove Tan to Muar, and they parted ways.

A few days later, a warrant of arrest was issued against Ho. Initially, Ho wanted to surrender, but did not do so after Tan told him not to and that he was “making arrangements”.

The court heard that the two men had been acquainted with one another for more than a year before February 2006. Ho, who often drove Tan between Malaysia and Singapore, was paid between S$50 and S$100.

About a month before the shooting, Tan showed Ho a pistol which he bought, saying he needed it for his personal protection as he was very rich.

A few weeks before Feb 14, Tan told Ho that he wanted to kill Lim. On that day, they entered Singapore through Woodlands Checkpoint at 4.47pm. Tan told Ho that he might meet Lim, but did not tell him the reason for it. They later returned to a flat in Hougang, where Ho rested for the night.

Tan was arrested in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 25, 2006, and taken back to Singapore on March 1 that year.

He was convicted in May 2007 for firing six pistol rounds — five of which hit Lim — with the intent of injuring his victim, and was sentenced to death.

Tan petitioned against his death sentence, but it was dismissed by the Court of Appeal. He then applied for clemency in Aug 2008, but it was denied by the President. He was hanged on Jan 9, 2009.

Ho’s case will be heard again tomorrow. For his offence, he could be jailed up to five years and fined.