GEORGE TOWN, 7 Mei — Ketua Menteri Lim Guan Eng keluar dari pejabat Suruhanjaya Pencegah Rasuah Malaysia di Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah selepas memberi keterangan pada hari kedua mengenai isu pembelian banglo di Jalan Pinhorn hari ini.?–foto
BERNAMA (2016) HAK CIPTA TERPELIHARA
KUCHING: Supporters from both sides of the political divide have been advised to be rational and trust the justice system to run its course in the light of the corruption charges against Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
State Barisan Nasional Backbenchers (BNBBC) chairman Abdullah Saidol reminded the public that Lim, a prominent DAP leader, was considered innocent until proven guilty and was entitled to all available legal means to defend himself.
“This particular case in Penang has definitely attracted the nation because it involves a chief minister and a prominent leader of the opposition party. Let us be civilised about this and have trust in our legal system. For the time being, I choose to say he is innocent until proven guilty and that he is entitled to all available legal means to defend himself,” Abdullah said when commenting on the matter yesterday.
Lim, together with businesswoman Phang Li Koon, are facing charges over an alleged corrupt house purchase deal they struck last year.
Lim is facing two charges — one under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act and another under Section 165 of the Penal Code.
Phang, meanwhile is charged with abetment under Section 109 of the Penal Code over the sale of a house at Jalan Pinhorn to Lim.
In the Penal Code charge, the chief minister is alleged to have used his position to obtain gratification by purchasing a house from Phang for RM2.8 million, which was below the market value of RM4.27 million on July 28, 2015.
Abdullah reminded the opposition to remain calm and not be quick to judge that investigation conducted by MACC was politically motivated.
“As expected, the opposition are too quick to allege that MACC’s action was politically motivated but why were they silent when there were cases involving a menteri besar and few politicians from the ruling party who were eventually convicted,” he said in reference to former Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo, currently serving a one year sentence in prison for using his position to obtain land and a bungalow in Shah Alam nine years ago.
The Semop assemblyman believed that many Penangites, including a DAP leaders, were curious and wanting to know the truth regarding Lim’s corruption charges.
The High Court set bail at RM1 million yesterday afternoon after Lim claimed trial to two corruption charges.