Guan Eng’s corruption trial from March 27
GEORGE TOWN: The High Court here yesterday set 34 days from March 27 to July 21 next year to hear the corruption case of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and businesswoman Phang Li Koon over the purchase of a bungalow below the market value and will call 60 prosecution witnesses.
Judge Datuk Hadhariah Syed Ismail ordered that the prosecution and defence complete their documents fast and did not want the case to be postponed.
“I do not want to hear anymore problems about documents after this — a period of two months should be sufficient.
“In view of the 60 prosecution witnesses (to be called), I do not want the trial dates changed. But if there’s a need to add new dates, ( I) allow it in view of the number of witnesses,” she said.
The judge said the dates given by the court could not be amended also because it had been agreed upon by the prosecution and defence.
The dates for the case hearing are March 27- 31, April 10-14, April 24-28, May 15-19, May 29- June 2, June 13-16, and July 17-21, next year.
Judge Hadhariah set the dates after the case management yesterday.
Both the accused, Lim and Phang, were not present as they were allowed to be exempted from attending yesterday’s proceeding.
The court also fixed next Jan 6 for case management for the prosecution to complete all their final documents.
Earlier, counsel Gobind Singh Deo, representing Lim, informed the court that the defence had received the complete documents from the prosecution last week, however, some matters needed to be studied further.
Gobind also asked the court to exempt Lim and Phang from being present in court on Jan 6 and the judge allowed it.
Outside the court, Gobind said the defence had to peruse the documents again as there were those with missing pages while some documents were copied twice.
On June 30, Lim pleaded not guilty to two corruption charges involving changing of land status from agriculture zone to housing zone, and the purchase of a housing lot and bungalow below the market price.
Lim was charged with using his position as a public servant (chief minister) to obtain gratification for himself and his wife Betty Chew Gek Cheng by approving an application by Magnificent Emblem Sdn Bhd to convert two lots of agricultural land for residential development in Penang’s northeast district.
Lim, 56, allegedly committed the offence while chairing a Penang State Planning Committee meeting at the Operations Room, 28th Floor, Komtar building, George Town on July 18, 2014.
The charge under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission ( MACC) Act 2009 carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
Lim was also charged with using his position as a public servant, to obtain gratification by purchasing a house from Phang at RM2.8 million, which was below the market value of RM4.27 million for the property at No.
25, Jalan Pinhorn, George Town, on July 28, 2015, knowing that the businesswoman had links with his official duties as chief minister.
The offence under Section 165 of the Penal Code is punishable with a jail term of up to two years or a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Lim had claimed trial to both charges, while Phang also claimed trial to the charge of abetting Lim by allegedly selling the bungalow she owned at below its actual market value.
Phang, 44, was charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code and read together with Section 165, which carries a jail term of up to two years or a fine, or both.
The atmosphere at the court grounds was rather calm yesterday as Lim’s supporters were not seen there, but about 50 people who gathered outside called on him to step down as chief minister.
The group led by Mamu Parpu Club chairman Muhsin Latheef had gathered there since 9.15am and dispersed at 10.15am after the case proceeding ended.
Claiming to be the supporters of Chow Kon Yeow, the state executive councillor for Local Government, Flood Mitigation and Traffic Management, they asked that Chow replace Lim as chief minister, saying that he was an experienced leader and had resided in the state for over 20 years.
“We believe that Chow can be a better chief minister as he understands the people’s problems,” said Muhsin. — Bernama
I do not want to hear anymore problems about documents after this — a period of two months should be sufficient. Datuk Hadhariah Syed Ismail, High Court Judge