BETTY Chew, preparing to face charges in court tomorrow, said she leads an ordinary life with honest earnings, and is not involved in illegal activities.

The wife of former finance minister Lim Guan Eng will be charged under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amla) at the Butterworth Sessions Court.

“I am a lawyer, a mother, and most importantly, a wife to a great husband, Lim Guan Eng. I live an ordinary lifestyle with honest earnings, and do not indulge in any unlawful activities,” she said in a Facebook post today.

She vowed to fight baseless accusations against her and seek justice in the courts.

“I studied law to uphold justice, and as a lawyer for 26 years, I’ve defended a lot of people in court, making sure their rights are protected. But today, my own rights are being infringed, being charged so quickly, four days after my statement was taken.”

Chew’s counsel, Lee Khai, said she will be charged over her involvement in Excel Property Management and Consultancy Sdn Bhd.

Chew said she initially thought that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission summoned her for questioning in relation to Lim’s case.

“The next day, accompanied by my son and sister-in-law at the MACC office, I was informed that I would be arrested and may be charged under Amla. I was shocked.”

The former Kota Laksamana rep described the process as tiring – besides having her statement recorded, she had prints taken from all fingers and her mugshot was taken from several angles.

“Feeling dazed, I am now officially accused of money-laundering. Throughout the process, I was struggling to digest my arrest. I tried to recollect what offence I had committed for them to arrest me under the said act.

“Could it be related to the consultancy fees I received for work and services rendered as a legal consultant? I was furious and confused at the same time. Why are my legal fees received as a lawyer in question?”

She added that she believes her husband is innocent.

Lim is passionate about fighting corruption, and showered her with love, not luxuries, said Chew.

“With faith in God, we shall fight this, successfully, together. Adversity will make our love stronger.”

Chew’s husband and father-in-law have spoken up in her defence and urged the government to drop the case against her.

Lim on Friday pleaded not guilty to soliciting a bribe in connection to the RM6.3 billion Penang undersea tunnel project, and was granted bail at RM1 million with two sureties.

Today, he claimed trial at the Butterworth Sessions Court to a charge of receiving a RM3.3 million bribe for awarding the project to Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd. – August 10, 2020.