LGE Pleads Not Guilty After Being Charged With Soliciting Millions In Bribe
If convicted, former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng could face imprisonment of up to 20 years.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 07 Aug 2020, 11:36 AM
Former finance minister Lim Guan Eng has been charged for soliciting a bribe from a company that was awarded the RM6.3 billion Penang undersea tunnel project
After spending a night at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters yesterday, 6 August, Lim was transported to Kuala Lumpur Court Complex this morning, 7 August, to face charges under Section 16 (a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009.
Lim allegedly requested 10% of profits from Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd, the company that got awarded the multi-billion project, reported New Straits Times.
He allegedly solicited the sum from senior executive director Datuk Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli so that the company he represented could be appointed to helm the project.
According to Malaysiakini, the crime is said to be committed at a location close to the Gardens Hotel, KL in March 2011.
Lim pleaded not guilty to the charges
KL Sessions Court Judge Azura Alwi preceded the hearing today.
The judge said if convicted, Lim could face up to 20 years' jail and fined five times the value of the bribe.
Lim was represented by DAP comrades Gobind Singh Deo, Ram Karpal Singh, and RSN Rayer.
The prosecuting team was led by Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, who was assisted by deputy public prosecutor Akram Abu Gharib.
Present in the court were Lim's father and DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, former deputy defence Minister Liew Chin Tong, former transport minister Anthony Loke, and other DAP leaders.
Meanwhile, Lim's son has taken to social media to defend his father last night
In a Facebook post with over 13,000 likes and 3,200 shares as of press time, Marcus Lim said he and his family expected this day would come following the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government.
"Their plan is simple, to frame and capture those leaders who wouldn't bow down to their dirty scheme," wrote Marcus.
"Their motive is clear, to dismantle DAP, ultimately destroying PH. They thrive on dirty politics, making the right wrong, and the wrong right. Unfortunately, this is how politics work here."
Writing in three different languages, he said they would definitely fight back.
