PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) wants to “equalise” Lim Guan Eng’s case to former prime minister Najib Razak’s conviction in relation to the SRC International Sdn Bhd case, said DAP chief strategist Liew Chin Tong.

In a statement on Facebook, the former deputy defence minister said this was similar to Lim’s bungalow trial back in 2016 when the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal (1MDB) was at its height.

“The persecution of Guan Eng during his tenure as Penang chief minister first happened in March 2016 in the form of the ‘bungalow case’ at the height of Najib’s 1MDB scandal.

“The purpose was to show that both sides are the same.

“Come 2020, Lim and his wife Betty Chew are dragged into another round of persecution so that PN can equalise the blows of Najib’s conviction that happened just a week ago,” Liew said.

On Friday, Lim claimed trial at the special corruption court in Kuala Lumpur to soliciting a bribe in connection to the undersea tunnel project in Penang.

He faces another charge at the Penang Sessions Court tomorrow in relation to the project and on Tuesday, he is expected to be jointly charged with his wife over the purchase of their bungalow in 2015.

The high court acquitted the former finance minister of graft in the purchase of the bungalow on September 3, 2018, when Pakatan Harapan was in federal power.

Najib, meanwhile, was found guilty of seven criminal charges involving RM42 million from 1MDB-linked SRC International on July 28.

Liew said there is also an attempt from the government to make Chew look like Rosmah Mansor.

Rosmah had also been charged with corruption and is known for her lavish spending abroad.

Liew said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) could have just contacted Lim to be present at court, saying his one-night stay at the MACC lockup was uncalled for.

“Lim had to spend a night in MACC’s Putrajaya lockup, which was totally unnecessary. MACC could have just informed Guan Eng to be present at the court room at a certain time,” he said.

Liew urged the public to join the solidarity campaign to help fund Lim’s bail and trial.  He said the response from the public so far has been tremendous. – August 9, 2020.