Former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng has claimed trial to a charge at the Butterworth Sessions Court for allegedly using his position at the time for personal gratification of RM3.3 million in relation to the undersea tunnel project.
He is alleged to have committed the act to help a tunnel contractor company owned by one Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli between January 2011 and August 2017, at the chief minister's office in Komtar.
The RM6.3 billion undersea tunnel project involves three paired roads and an undersea tunnel linking Butterworth to the Penang island.
Lim was charged under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same act.
He faces a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine not less than five times the amount of the bribe.
The charges were read out before judge Ahmad Azhari Abdul Hamid.
The case has been transferred to the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, and no bail was imposed on Lim today.
The charge sheet states that Lim used his position as chief minister for the bribe.
The DPP's document to transfer the case to Kuala Lumpur, where the DAP leader faces another bribery charge, stated that he allegedly received the bribe in several instalments.
Lim arrived at the courthouse at about 8.55am, accompanied by his wife Betty Chew and his mother, and was greeted by a group of 30 Pakatan Harapan leaders and supporters.
The former finance minister's defence team included lawyers Gobind Singh Deo, Ramkarpal Singh, RSN Rayer and V Vemal Arasan. The first three are also DAP MPs.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Akram Gharib, Muhamad Mukhzany Fariz Mohd Mokhtar and Francine Cheryl Rajendram make up the prosecution team.
Lim previously claimed trial at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Friday to a charge of soliciting a bribe in connection with the same mega infrastructure project.
It is learnt that former state exco Lim Hock Seng, who was in charge of public works, was also questioned by the MACC.
Among leaders present to support Lim were Penang exco Soon Lip Chee, former state exco Abdul Malik Abul Kassim and Ipoh Timur MP Wong Kah Woh. They had gathered outside the Butterworth Sessions Court since 8.15am.
State exco on caring society, welfare and environment Phee Boon Poh arrived at 8.30am.
Only four reporters were allowed in the courtroom, which has 20 seats available. Another 20 reporters were told to wait downstairs.
Only four reporters were allowed in the courtroom, which has 20 seats available. Another 20 reporters were told to wait downstairs.
Seberang Perai Utara District police chief Noorzainy Mohd Noor told reporters about the entrance ruling at about 8am.
Meanwhile, Sin Chew Daily senior journalist Ang Tong Kai was brought to Butterworth police station for flying a drone outside the court without permission.
The drone was spotted by police officers at around 9am and they traced the landing point to a commercial area car park next to the court.
They stopped Ang from operating the drone and instructed him to open his car booth for inspection and checked the drone flight controller.
The reporter explained that he was merely carrying his duty to capture photos but he was taken to the police station for further questioning.
When asked whether Ang was being arrested, a police officer claimed that they were only questioning him and due process will be followed.
'I will fight in court to prove I am innocent'
In a press conference at the Bagan MP service centre, Lim stressed that the accusation against him is baseless and politically motivated.
"I've never taken any money and the MACC never asked me where is RM3.3 million. In fact, I'm the one who raised this question, why don't you ask me where is the money?"
Lim said if there is no such amount either in any of his bank accounts or in cash, how could that be corruption.
"I will fight in court to prove I am innocent. If such an accusation can stand without any evidence, then anyone can get it," he added.
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