CHIEF Minister Lim Guan Eng’s graft case, involving the purchase of his bungalow home at a discount, will go to trial at the Penang High Court beginning March.

Judge Hadhariah Syed Ismail set the dates on March 26 to 30; April 9 to 12 and 23 to 27; and, May 7 to 10 and 21 to 25.

“This time, the trial will proceed with the prosecution’s case. We expect five witnesses to be called per day,” she said this morning during case management.

The DAP secretary-general was charged in 2016 over the rezoning of two plots of agricultural land in Balik Pulau for residential use, which was said to benefit the plots’ owner, Magnificent Emblem, a company linked to Lim’s former landlady, Phang Li Koon.

In the amended charge, Lim, 57, is accused of seeking gratification for himself and his wife, Betty Chew, 53, by using his position as chairman of the state planning committee to approve the rezoning of the plots, at Komtar on July 18, 2014.

If convicted under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act, he faces 20 years’ jail, and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the gratification, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

He also faces a second charge over his purchase of the bungalow in Jalan Pinhorn for RM2.8 million, alleged to be below the market price of RM4.27 million, on July 28, 2016, from Phang.

The offence, under Section 165 of the Penal Code, is punishable with a jail term of not less than two years, a fine, or both.

Lim’s trial casts uncertainty over his eligibility to stand as a candidate in the 14th general election, which must be called by June.

If found guilty, he will not be able to contest in the polls, and will be forced to give up his chief minister’s post.

Earlier today, deputy public prosecutor Masri Mohd Daud asked that the court start the trial as early as next month.

He said the prosecution had some 40 witnesses to call.

Phang, a businesswoman, is also facing charges over the bungalow sale. Her case will be heard simultaneously.

Gobind Singh Deo and R.S.N. Rayer appeared for the chief minister, who was not present at court. V. Sithambaram represented Phang.

Lim had previously sought a judicial review against the matter, delaying the case for months, but the Federal Court, on December 14 last year, ruled that it was lawful to proceed with the trial. – January 10, 2018.