FORMER Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng’s pending graft case over his Jalan Pinhorn bungalow purchase was initially scheduled to resume its week-long hearing at the Penang High Court tomorrow.

However, it is learnt that the trial has been switched to a mention tomorrow, the same day Lim will be sworn in as the new finance minister.

When asked about the matter by reporters in Penang this morning, Lim again declined to comment on his pending court case, citing sub judice.

He only said: “I have always said that it was a political persecution against me by the former government.

“Let’s wait for the court to decide tomorrow.”

Lim was accused of using his position to obtain gratification for himself and his wife, Betty Chew, by approving an application by Magnificent Emblem to convert agricultural land to residential use during a state planning committee meeting on July 18, 2014 – an offence under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act.

If found guilty under the act, Lim faces up to 20 years’ jail, a fine five times the sum or value of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Lim was also accused of using his position to seek gratification by buying the bungalow from his former landlady, Phang Li Khoon, at RM2.8 million, when the property’s market value was said to be RM4.27 million on July 28, 2015 – an offence under Section 165 of the Penal Code.

This charge carries up to two years’ jail, a fine, or both if convicted.

Phang, who was a director at Magnificent Emblem, was also charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code for abetting Lim in relation to his house purchase.

She faces the same punishment under Section 165 of the Penal Code if found guilty.

The case went through three days of trial in late March, with the prosecution calling up 25 out of 55 witnesses.

The trial was then postponed due to the Dewan Rakyat sitting and GE14.

Lim’s corruption case has been the subject of speculation ever since Pakatan Harapan took over Putrajaya, following PH’s shocking victory against Barisan Nasional in the May 9 polls.

It became even more hotly speculated when Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Lim could not be sworn in as minister until he was cleared of his graft charges. – May 20, 2018.