6 JAN LIM GUAN ENG CORRUPTION TRIAL

The High Court has set Jan 6 for case management in Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’corruption trial.

High Court Justice Datuk Hadhariah Syed Ismail said the new date was for the parties to ensure that all documents are ready before the commencement of the trial.

She also ordered both parties to finalise and reach an agreement on the facts and issues to be tried.
The judge also fixed various dates for the trial, which will run from March until July next year.

Lim has claimed trial to a charge of using his position as a public servant to obtain gratification for himself and his wife Betty Chew by approving an application by Magnificent Emblem to convert two lots of agricultural land for residential development during a state planning committee meeting on July 18, 2014.

The offence under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 (Act 694), punishable under Section 24 of the same Act, carries a jail term of not more than 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Lim also denied another charge under Section 165 of the Penal Code of using his position to obtain gratification by purchasing his house from businesswoman Phang Li Koon at RM2.8mil, which was below the property’s market value of RM4.27mil on July 28, 2015. The offence is punishable with a maximum two years' jail, a fine, or both, upon conviction.

Lim's lawyer Gobind Singh also requested for the presence of both accused on Jan 6 to be dispensed with, which the judge granted.

Phang faces an abetment charge for allegedly selling a bungalow in Pinhorn Road to Lim on July 28, 2015, at below its actual market value.
thestar