PAS tells Guan Eng to face graft trial

Malaysia will look like the Wild West if charges are dropped just because the government has changed, says Tuan Ibrahim.

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Man says Lim Guan Eng has nothing to fear if he is in the right.

PETALING JAYA: PAS has urged Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng to face trial to prove that he is innocent of the corruption charges made against him when he was the chief minister of Penang.

Speaking to FMT, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Man said Malaysia would look to others like the Wild West if the charges were dropped just because Pakatan Harapan (PH) had come to power.

People would then lose confidence in the new administration, he added.

In 2016, Lim was charged with using his public office to obtain gratification for himself and his wife by approving an application by Magnificent Emblem Sdn Bhd to convert agricultural land for residential purposes.

Lim was also alleged to have used his position to obtain gratification by purchasing a bungalow from businesswoman Phang Li Koon at below the market price. Phang was charged with abetting him.

The Penang High Court yesterday adjourned the hearing of the case to July 30.

Lim’s counsel, Ramkarpal Singh, said the defence felt it necessary to file a new representation on the charges in the belief that they were politically motivated.

“We will propose that the charges be dropped,” he said. “Of course, it is up to the new attorney-general to consider whether to drop the charges or accept them.”

Tuan Ibrahim acknowledged that Lim had the right to seek a review of the charges, but added: “If he is in the right, there is no need to be afraid.

“The charges against him must have had some merit when they were made. We expect such cases to continue. But everything is suddenly changing with the change of government.”

Referring as well to the Registrar of Societies’ sudden decision to approve the registration of PPBM and PH, he said people might see the turn of events as farcical.

He urged the new government to observe the rule of law and said Lim should show his willingness to go through due process. -FMT