Graft charges against Harapan politicians to be reviewed: Guan Eng

Finance minister-designate Lim Guan Eng (above) has declined to speculate on the future of his ongoing graft case saying it was sub judice.

Lim said many such cases would have to be reviewed hinting that his case which is linked to the purchase of his bungalow (below) on Jalan Pinhorn, Penang, would also go through a similar process.

The trial is supposed to resume on May 21 at the Penang High Court.

"As (prime minister) Dr Mahathir Mohamad said, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief (Zulkiflee Ahmad) has to be replaced for obvious reasons.

"We need to review all the cases thoroughly to see whether there were political motives involved against opposition politicians," Lim said.

"The victory of Pakatan Harapan on May 9 is akin to the judgement of the people on the veracity and reliability of these cases, not just those against me but against others as well," he added.

Former second finance minister Johari Abdul Ghani has before this said he believes that Lim is still innocent until proven guilty.

As DAP secretary-general, Lim was also asked about PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli's complaint that the announcement of his (Lim's) post plus those of Amanah's Mohamad Sabu as defence minister and Bersatu's Muhyiddin Yassin as home minister did not get the blessings of PKR.

To this, Lim said, "Next question, please," drawing laughter from those present at his packed press conference held at his office on Komtar's 28th floor.

The outgoing two-term chief minister was also asked if would be dropping his defamation suits against state BN chief Teng Chang Yeow and state Gerakan acting youth chief Jason Loo.

To which, Lim cheekily asked the reporter, "You are from where?"

Lim was also asked about BN assemblypersons defecting to Pakatan Harapan with his own DAP MP, Bukit Gelugor's Ramkarpal Singh and NGOs including Bersih and Engage voicing disapproval over such “party-hopping”.

Lim was reminded that Penang had also passed an anti-party-hopping law after the 2013 polls.

He urged for time to access the situation, saying "I have not seen the comments from Ramkarpal" nor had he have any information on the situation in the various states.

"Let me look at the situation first. I want to be hands-on in my ministry and have been devoting my time to that," Lim said.

"I do not really have the time to look or scan all the reports so can you please give me an opportunity to look at these first before I comment?" he asked. -Mkini