KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 11): Former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng faces another graft charge and has claimed trial in the Sessions Court in Penang for abuse of power in relation to an alleged bribe of RM372,009 received by his wife Betty Chew.

Guan Eng, 59, is charged with abusing his post as a public officer during his tenure as the chief minister and chairman of Penang Development Corp's tender committee to ensure that Magnificent Emblem Sdn Bhd is given an invitation for the proposed workers village project in Batu Kawan worth RM11.61 million, where Chew allegedly had interests in.

Chew allegedly received the RM372,009 from Excel Property Management & Consultancy Sdn Bhd.

Guan Eng is alleged to have abused his power at the Komtar building between Aug 19, 2013 and March 3, 2016.

Meanwhile, businesswoman Phang Li Koon is charged with abetting Guan Eng in allegedly abusing his power.

Both of them are charged under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 and punishable under Section 24 of the same act. Both of them face up to 20 years in jail and a fine of at least RM10,000 or five times the amount of the purported graft.

Meanwhile, Chew is charged with three counts of money laundering amounting to RM87,009, RM180,000 and RM105,000 respectively for the amounts received from Excel Property at Public Bank, Taman Melaka Raya in Melaka between Oct 7, 2013 and March 3, 2016.

Chew, 56, has a law firm in Taman Melaka Raya.

If convicted under Section 4 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, Chew can be jailed up to a maximum of five years, fined up to RM5 million or both.

All the cases were heard before Sessions Court Judge Ahmad Azhari Abdul Hamid, who set bail at RM50,000 with one surety for all three accused.

Azhari also fixed Oct 16, 2020 for mention for all three cases.

Today, deputy public prosecutors Roslan Mat Nor, Ahmad Akram Gharib, Mohd Mukhzany Fariz Mohd Mokhtar and R Francine Cheryl appeared for the prosecution.

Lim is represented by lawyers Gobind Singh Deo, Ramkarpal Singh, RSN Rayer and V Vemal Arasan.

Datuk V Sithambaram and Ruebankumar Asokan is representing Phang.

Chew is represented by Ramkarpal, Lee Khai and Sangeet Kaur Deo.