Friday 29 Mar 2024
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GEORGE TOWN (June 30): Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was charged on two counts of corruption at the Sessions Court here this morning.

Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general, was charged under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Act 2009 and Section 165 of the Penal Code.

The court heard that Lim, 56, allegedly abused his position to benefit him and his wife by approving the rezoning of a plot of land to Magnificent Emblem Sdn Bhd at his office on Level 28, Komtar on July 18, 2014.

For the second charge, Lim allegedly received a "valuable property" relating to his bungalow on Jalan Pinhorn that was below market value on July 28, 2015. He is alleged to have purchased it at RM2.8 million although its market value was RM4.27 million.

Section 23 of the Act relates to a public officer using its office or position for gratification in making a decision or taking an action whether for himself, a relative or an associate who has a direct or indirect interest with the person.

It carries a 20-year jail term and a fine of not less than five times the value of gratification, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Section 165 of the Penal Code concerns the offence of a public servant obtaining a valuable item without consideration from a person involved in any proceeding or business transacted by such a public servant.

The penalty involves two-year imprisonment and/or a fine.

Meanwhile, businesswoman Phang Li Khoon was charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code for abetment. The charge was read together with Section 165 of the Penal Code.

According to the charge sheet, Phang, 44, was alleged to have abetted Lim to acquire a "valuable property" below market value.

Reference was made to Lim's bungalow that was purchased at RM2.8 million when its actual value was RM4.27 million.

No plea was recorded from Lim and Phang in the Sessions Court.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Appandi Ali who led the prosecution asked Judge Roslan Hamid to transfer the case to the Penang High Court.

Roslan granted immediate transfer to the High Court for mention.

Lim was represented by Gobind Singh Deo and Ram Karpal Singh, while Phang was represented by a team of four lawyers with counsel Datuk K. Kumaraendran at the helm.

 

 

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