Guan Eng arrested; to be charged today
Published on: Friday, August 07, 2020
By: FMT
PUTRAJAYA: Last month, MACC chief Azam Baki said the investigation centred on possible moFormer Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng (pic) has been arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in connection with the undersea tunnel project. He will be charged today (Friday).The DAP secretary-general and former Penang Chief Minister will be charged at the Kuala Lumpur special corruption court under Section 16 (a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009. On Aug 10, he will be charged under Section 23 of the same Act at the Penang Sessions Court.
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MACC also said that Lim would be charged for a separate case on Aug 11 under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 at the Penang Sessions Court.
However MACC did not provide details of the charge. Lim arrived at the MACC headquarters here at 9.10pm.
Lim, who is also the Bagan MP, had been called in by MACC several times in recent weeks over the agency’s investigation into the RM6.3 billion undersea tunnel and highways project that forms part of the Penang Transport Master Plan.ney laundering. He said he expected the investigation to end in two to three weeks.
Lim is among several current and former state leaders who have been called to give their statements.
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A former chairman of the Penang Port Commission was arrested recently, and later released on bail, and three companies raided as part of the investigation.
The project was mooted by the Penang government to alleviate traffic congestion. The 7.2km undersea tunnel will connect Pangkor Road on the island to Bagan Ajam in Butterworth.
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Among others, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, and several current and former State Executive Council members were also called to provide statements to the MACC regarding the mega project.
Sources said businesswoman Phang Li Koon was also arrested.
Phang, along with Lim, were granted a discharge amounting to an acquittal by the High Court back in September 2018, over their corruption charges in 2016.
On June 30, 2016, Lim claimed trial to using his position as a public officer, namely, the then Chief Minister of Penang, to gain gratification for himself and his wife, Betty Chew Gek Cheng.
He was accused of doing so by approving the application for conversion of agriculture land to a public housing zone in the southwest district to a company, Magnificient Emblem Sdn Bhd.
He was charged with committing the offence while chairing the State Planning Committee meeting at the operations room, Level 28, Komtar building here, on July 18, 2014.
The charge under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 provides an imprisonment for up to 20 years and a fine of up to five times the sum or value of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
In the second charge, Lim also claimed trial to using his position to obtain for himself a plot of land and a house, located at No 25, Jalan Pinhorn, George Town, from Phang for RM2.8 million, a price which he allegedly knew did not commensurate with the property’s then market value of RM4.27 million.
The offence was allegedly committed at No 25 Jalan Pinhorn, George Town here on Oct 21, 2015.
The charge was under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which provides an imprisonment for up to two years, or a fine, or both.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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