Lim Guan Eng, Phang Li Koon corruption case to be heard Sept 30

The corruption case involving Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and businesswoman Phang Li Koon regarding the purchase of a bungalow below market value has been set for mention at the Penang High Court on Sept 30.

Prosecution Division deputy chief II in the Attorney-General's Chambers Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, when contacted, said the case should have been fixed for case management on Sept 22, however, the date was vacated and a new date was set on Sept 30.

He said this was because Phang had appointed new lawyer, Hisham Teh Poh Teik, to replace her previous counsel Datuk K. Kumaraendran and the case would be heard before new judge, Datuk Hadhariah Syed Ismail.

The case was previously heard before Judicial Commissioner Datuk Azmi Ariffin.

Hisham when contacted via WhatsApp said that Phang had appointed him and Datuk V. Sithambaram as her new lawyers and he had written to the court for the Sept 22 date set earlier to be rescheduled.

On June 30, Lim pleaded not guilty at the Penang High Court on charges of corruption in relation to conversion of land from an agricultural zone to residential zone, and the purchase of a plot of land and bungalow at below

market value.

For the first count, Lim was charged as a civil servant, namely as the Chief Minister of Penang State Government, of using his position to gain inducements for himself and his wife Betty Chew Gek Cheng, by approving the application for rezoning land from agriculture to public housing in Southwest Penang from the company, Magnificient Emblem Sdn Bhd.

Lim, 56, allegedly committed the offence while chairing a Penang State Planning Committee meeting at the Operations Room on Level 28 of the Komtar building in George Town on July 18, 2014.

He was charged under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine no less than five times the sum or value of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

For the second count, Lim was charged with obtaining a valuable asset at a price which he knew was not commensurate with its value, namely the plot of land and house located at No 25, Jalan Pinhorn, George Town, from Phang at RM2.8 million, when the market price at the time was RM4.27 million.

Lim allegedly committed the offence at No 25 Jalan Pinhorn, George Town, on July 28, 2015, under Section 165 of the Penal Code which carries a jail term of up to two years, or with a fine, or both, upon conviction.

Meanwhile, former owner of the bungalow Phang also pleaded not guilty to conspiring with Lim for him to obtain the house at below market rate, at the same place and date.

Phang, 44, was charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code read together with Section 165 of the same Act which carries a jail term of up to two years, or a fine, or both, upon conviction.