BUTTERWORTH: Former Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng claimed trial at the Butterworth Sessions Court here today to two fresh charges linked to the controversial Penang Undersea Tunnel project.
Lim pleaded not guilty to dishonest misappropriation of property by disposing two plots of land belonging to the Penang government in Bandar Tanjong Pinang worth RM208 million to Ewein Zenith Sdn Bhd and Zenith Urban Development Sdn Bhd – companies linked to the tunnel project – on Feb 17, 2015 and March 22, 2017.
He was accused of committing the offences at the Penang Land and Mines Office in Komtar.
Lim, 60, was charged under Section 403 of the Penal Code, which states that whoever dishonestly misappropriates, or converts to his own use, or causes any other person to dispose of, any property, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months and not more than five years, and with whipping, and shall also be liable to a fine, if found guilty.
The charges were read out to him before judge Ahmad Azhari Abdul Hamid.
Deputy public prosecutors Wan Shaharudin Wan Ladin, Francine Cheryl Rajendram and S Selvaranjini prosecuted the case.
Lawyers Gobind Singh Deo, Ram Karpal Singh, RSN Rayer and A Sivanesan represented Lim.
The court also maintained Lim's previous RM1 million bail paid at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court in one surety.
The case has also been transferred to the Kuala Lumpur Court and Oct 12 has been set for mention.
On Aug 7, Lim was charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court with soliciting a bribe from the company awarded the contract to undertake the undersea tunnel project.
Lim was accused of asking for 10 per cent of profits from Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli to help his company, Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd, secure the project to build the undersea tunnel.
He was charged under Section 16 (a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act, which carries a maximum 20 years' jail and a fine of up to five times the value of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
Three days later, on Aug 10, Lim was charged at the Butterworth Sessions Court with abusing his power to obtain a RM3.3 million bribe in connection with the undersea tunnel project.
He was alleged to have abused his power as the Penang Chief Minister to obtain RM3.3 million in monetary gratification as an inducement to appoint Zarul's company to implement the RM6,341,383,702 three-paired road and undersea tunnel development in the state.
He allegedly committed the offence at the Chief Minister's Office on Level 28 of Komtar between Jan 2011 and Aug 2017.
He was charged under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act, which provides for a jail term of not more than 20 years, a fine of no less than five times the amount involved, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
A day later, he was again charged at the Butterworth Sessions Court with abusing his power to obtain RM372,009 for his wife Betty Chew.
Lim was alleged to have used his position as the Penang Chief Minister and Penang Development Corporation (PDC) Tender Board to obtain the gratification through Excel Property Management & Consultancy Sdn Bhd.
He allegedly used his position to ensure that Magnificent Emblem Sdn Bhd was offered a request for a proposal for a workers' quarters project in Batu Kawan in Seberang Prai Selatan worth RM11,610,000.
He allegedly committed the offense at the Chief Minister's Office on Level 28 of Komtar, sometime between Aug 19 in 2013 and March 3 in 2016.
He was charged under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act, which provides for a jail term of not more than 20 years, a fine of no less than five times the amount involved, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Lim pleaded not guilty to all three charges.