Lim, Phang’s corruption case adjourned to May 21

The High Court here yesterday granted the application by the defence for the corruption trial of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and businesswoman Phang Li Koon to be adjourned.

Justice Datuk Hadhariah Syed Ismail fixed May 21 for continuation of the trial as set earlier after taking into account that Lim would be involved in the 14th general election (GE14).

Lim's counsel Gobind Singh Deo had applied for the trial to be postponed, tendering an apology to the court for the accused's absence yesterday due to official matters.

“I'm applying for an adjournment as Parliament has been dissolved by the Prime Minister. So we need to prepare for the election. We do not know when the election is going to be held; I propose that proceedings be adjourned to early May for case management to determine the direction of the trial,” he said.

However, the request was objected to by the prosecution led by deputy public prosecutor Datuk Masri Mohd Daud who urged the court to proceed with the trial.

But the judge allowed the defence's request, saying, “I cannot proceed with the case without the accused being present; I also cannot wait for the accused”.

She fixed May 10 for case management to settle any issues related to the election, adding, “The trial will recommence on May 21 till May 25 as set earlier”.

After getting the adjournment, Gobind and other lawyers representing Lim in the case held a media conference in the vicinity of the courthouse to explain the situation. Lim was also present.

Outside the court, Masri told the media that the prosecution had 14 witnesses ready to give their testimonies yesterday.

“We object to the adjournment because the Election Commission has not set the date yet for nomination of candidates. We could still have continued with the trial this week. The counsel's grounds to adjourn the case were not solid,” he said.

The trial commenced on March 26 and continued on March 27, after which the defence applied to postpone the case as Gobind and Lim wanted to attend the tabling of the Electoral Boundary Redelineation proposal and AntiFake News Bill 2018.