LAWYERS for Lim Guan Eng said they will file for corruption charges against the former Penang chief minister to be dropped.

Lim is accused of using his position as then chief minister 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.

Lim is also being charged with using his position to obtain for himself a plot of land and a bungalow, located at No. 25, Jalan Pinhorn, George Town, from former landlord Phang Li Koon for RM2.8million, a price which he allegedly knew did not commensurate with the property’s then market value of RM4.27million.

Lim has denied any wrongdoing in both cases.

Lawyer Ramkarpal Singh, who is also Bukit Gelugor MP, said today Lim’s team of lawyers will file for those charges to be dropped immediately.

“We will propose for the charges to be dropped against them. Of course, it is up to the attorney-general to consider,” he said outside the courtroom today.

Earlier, Ramkarpal requested for today’s hearing to be postponed as both Lim and his lead counsel Gobind Singh Deo could not be present.

Both DAP leaders are to be sworn in as finance minister and communications and multimedia minister respectively at Istana Negara later today.

“I think the more important reason (for postponement) in light of the change in government, (is) we feel that it is necessary to file representation with regard to the charges against Lim and the second accused,” Ramkarpal said.

If found guilty under the MACC 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.

Ramkarpal said from day one, the defence has stated that the charges against Lim were politically motivated. 

“We will file the representation this week or the next. We hope it will be considered. 

“It would be proper and we will be able to look at the case from a fresh angle. That’s what we want to achieve. 

“Otherwise, we will continue with the case. We have no problems with that.”

Ramkarpal also said in the absence of the A-G Mohamed Apandi Ali, who has been instructed to go on leave by the new federal administration, the solicitor-general could take over the A-G’s duties.

Asked about Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s remarks last week that Lim would have to be cleared of his graft charges before being sworn in as minister, Ramkarpal said there was no law preventing Lim from taking up his ministerial post. – May 21, 2018.