KUALA LUMPUR: Former Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, who was today hauled to court, claimed that the charge of soliciting a bribe over the controversial RM6.3 billion Penang Undersea Tunnel brought against him is politically motivated.
Earlier this morning, Lim claimed trial to the offence at the Sessions Court.
"I pleaded not guilty to the charge this morning, and let me state that this is a baseless allegation and is politically motivated to tarnish my reputation," he said in a press conference after posting half of his RM1 million bail.
Lim, who had served as Penang Chief Minister from 2008 to 2018, also said that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had never asked him to show proof of having millions of ringgit either in cash or assets in his bank account.
He also stressed that no gratification was exchanged in the project.
"I want to stress that we fight corruption seriously and we would not practice corruption. I also want to stress that I have never received any gratification.
"I will fight to prove my innocence in court and I believe that the truth will show that I have not received any gratification and there is no corruption," he said.
The DAP secretary-general also expressed gratitude to those who came to show their support to him in court.
Meanwhile, his counsel, Gobind Singh Deo, said the charge preferred against his client today had no figure stated, and therefore, there is no basis to the charge.
He said this is something that the defence will scrutinise as the charge is "not clear".
"We will fight until the very end. There is no quantum stated in the charge as of now. What is stated in the charge is that there is a request for a particular percentage to be given to the complainant for the project," he said.
Lim, 60, was charged with soliciting a bribe from one Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli.
According to the charge sheet, Lim, as the Penang Chief Minister, had asked for 10 per cent of potential profits from the completed project and in return, would help Zarul be appointed to carry out the main road and tunnel project in Penang.
He allegedly committed the offence in March 2011, near The Gardens Hotel at Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, here.
His case will be up for mention on Sept 9.
Among those present in court when Lim was charged were his 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.