Lim Guan Eng, wife to stand trial over RM11.6m Penang project-linked graft case

KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 — DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng, his wife Betty Chew and businesswoman Phang Li Koon will stand trial on corruption and money laundering charges after the Court of Appeal dismissed their application to strike out the charges.

According to New Straits Times, the appeal centred on whether the charges should be struck out on grounds of alleged abuse of process and the use of evidence said to be linked to an earlier case involving Lim’s purchase of a bungalow on Jalan Pinhorn, Penang, in which he was acquitted and discharged in 2018.

The Court of Appeal’s decision clears the way for the trio to face trial over the charges.

On May 3, 2024, the Penang High Court had earlier dismissed the application, ruling that the principle of double jeopardy did not apply as the legal threshold had not been met.

Lim is accused of using his position as then Penang chief minister and chairman of the Penang Development Corporation tender board to obtain gratification linked to the approval of a foreign workers’ hostel project worth RM11.6 million.

He was charged under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Phang is accused of conspiring with Lim to commit the offence at the same place and time.

Chew faces three money laundering charges involving RM372,009 allegedly received from Excel Property Management & Consultancy Sdn Bhd and credited into her Public Bank account between 2013 and 2016.

The offence falls under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act, which carries a maximum jail term of five years, a fine of up to RM5 million, or both.