GEORGE TOWN: Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, who was acquitted of his corruption charges by the High Court today, heaved a sigh of relief as his name is now clear.
Speaking to newsmen after the court proceedings this morning, Lim maintained that the selective persecution brought against him had caused much stress to him, his family and businesswoman Phang Li Koon, who was charged with abetting him.
“This victory is very unexpected.
“Indeed I am grateful that this has come to an end and I get to clear my name. Justice has finally been served.
“I just want to go on with my life after this. I just want to go on with the important task of saving the country’s economy so as to provide a better life for our children,” said Lim, who was spotted with a bandage on his right hand.
Lim said this was brought upon by the previous regime but he and Phang were prepared to face any eventualities.
He also thanked his team of lawyers, family, friends, comrades in DAP and Pakatan Harapan, supporters, and Malaysians in general, who had stood by him from the very beginning, which give him the much needed strength to go on.
“We know this is a malicious slander and slander is worse that murder. However, we have managed to overcome this.
“Let God deal with those who started all this,” he added.
He was also grateful to the leaders in DAP and Pakatan Harapan for placing their trust in him.
“Never once did they doubt that I am a clean leader. Never once too did the leaders question my capability and integrity.
“For that, I thank all of you,” he said, adding that he had not expected a crowd at today’s proceedings as it was only fixed for case management.
The High Court here granted a discharge amounting to an acquittal on Lim and Phang over their corruption charges, two years ago.
This follows an application made by Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Masri Mohd Daud to the court, based on a representation sent by the defence to the Attorney-General to withdraw the case, on July 6.
Masri had applied for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal.
Lim’s lead counsel, Ramkarpal Singh, and Phang’s lead counsel, Datuk V. Sithambaram, had requested for a full acquittal.
Judge Datuk Hadhariah Syed Ismail, in her judgment, agreed with the counsels that the charges “cannot be hanging over the head of the accused indefinitely.”
She stressed that there must be finality.