DESPITE Lim Guan Eng’s acquittal over the purchase of a bungalow, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission can reopen investigations into the former finance minister if “fresh evidence” emerges, the government said.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Takiyuddin Hassan said in a parliamentary written reply there are no legal obstacles for the anti-graft agency to reopen the case as it is an independent body.

The de facto law minister said then attorney-general Tommy Thomas had requested a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA), effectively meaning that Lim cannot be charged again based on the same evidence. 

Takiyuddin said the Penang High Court granted the acquittal after hearing prosecutors from the Attorney-General’s Chambers submit that there was a new lead in the case.

“The attorney-general, however, did not make any further appeal against the court’s decision.”

Takiyuddin was replying to Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PAS-Pasir Mas), who asked if Perikatan Nasional would reopen the case.

Lim was acquitted on September 3, 2018 of graft charges in relation to his purchase of a bungalow home in Jalan Pinhorn, Penang.

Lim was charged with corruption in 2016 for buying the property at below the market price from his former landlady Phang Li Khoon, when he was the chief minister.

The decision follows representation filed by Lim’s lawyers to the Attorney-General’s Ghambers for the graft charges against the DAP secretary-general to be dropped, after Pakatan Harapan won the May 9 general election.

Lim was accused of using his position to seek gratification when he bought the bungalow on July 28, 2015 from Phang at RM2.8 million although the property was said to be valued at RM4.27 million.

Lim was also 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. – August 5, 2020.