MCA senator Ong Chong Sen demanded in a ceramah last night that Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng explain to the public the purchase of a bungalow below market price despite his acquittal.

“Why was the seller willing to sell herself short? It’s difficult for ordinary people to negotiate down the price when we want to buy property. So how did Lim Guan Eng get it so cheap?

“Pakatan Harapan has only been in power for barely four months and he is now discharged and acquitted,” said Ong at a ceramah at Taming Jaya, Balakong.

The Penang High Court yesterday acquitted Lim, who was charged with using his position to seek gratification when he bought a bungalow in 2015 from his former landlord Phang Li Khoon for RM2.8 million, below the market price of RM4.27 million. 

Phang was charged with abetting Lim. The former chief minister was also accused of using his position to obtain gratification for himself and his wife, Betty Chew, by approving an application by Magnificent Emblem, of which Phang is a director, to convert agricultural land to residential use in 2014.

Lim maintained that he was a victim of political persecution as the charges were initiated under the former Barisan Nasional government.

However, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission senior officials and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad have expressed shock with the court judgment.

Ong added that it was also questionable for Phang to have spent RM300,000 to renovate the bungalow and rented it to Lim for only RM5,000 a month before she sold the bungalow to him.

“What’s wrong with a cheap house? If it’s you or me who got the discount, it may not be a big problem but he was a chief minister. Public officials cannot simply accept gifts,” said Ong.

She also raised the case of an aide to Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu, who successfully “crowd-funded” more than RM800,000 to pay off his debts soon after PH took over Putrajaya.

“Why would some people suddenly lend money to him? Would these people have lend the money to you and I?”

She said these are signs that being in positions of power is corrupting Pakatan Harapan.

“Since they pride themselves in being clean, they must live up to the standards of their own principles.”

Bangi Umno Youth vice-chief ustaz Haji Nasrullah, in another ceramah at Cheras Perdana yesterday, said Lim’s acquittal is unfair as former Selangor menteri besar Dr Khir Toyo was convicted of corruption for purchasing a lavish mansion for less than its market value when he was in office. He was jailed for 12 months and his properties were confiscated.

“This is proof that a government should not be too powerful. PH already has a super majority in Selangor. We need a stronger opposition or the government can change the laws any time and do whatever they want.”

MCA is facing PH in a straight fight in the Balakong by-election on Saturday. The by-election was called after DAP assemblyman Ng Tien Chee died in a car crash. – September 4, 2018.