On 11 September, Lim Guan Eng will be facing two new charges at the Butterworth Sessions Court in Penang for dishonest misappropriation of property.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Wan Shaharudin Wan Ladin brought the matter up during mention of Lim’s corruption case in connection with the undersea tunnel project in Penang.
The former Finance Minister was accused of allegedly using his position as the then Chief Minister of Penang to solicit gratification to help a company to secure the RM6.3 billion.
“The prosecution has served the notice to the accused this morning, to inform him on the two charges under Section 403 of the Penal Code,” Wan Shaharuddin told Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi.
He added that the new charges to be made against Lim Guan Eng this Friday (11 September) would be the last one in connection with the undersea tunnel project.
Lawyer Gobind Singh Deo, representing Lim, 60, confirmed that his client had received the notice, but said they had not seen the two new charges.
According to Bernama, Lim Guan Eng was charged with soliciting gratification to help a company to secure the Penang undersea tunnel project on 7 August and was charged again on 10 August with using his position as Penang Chief Minister for gratification amounting RM3.3 million as an inducement for helping a company owned by Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli to secure the project, valued at RM6.3 billion.
On 11 August, Lim Guan Eng was charged once more with using his position for gratification, involving RM372,009 for his wife through a company, Excel Property Management & Consultancy Sdn Bhd, in his capacity as the Chief Minister of Penang and chairman of the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) Procurement Board then.
However, he pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
Section 403 of the Penal Code states that whoever dishonestly misappropriates, or converts to his own use, or causes any other person to dispose of, any property, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months and not more than five years and with whipping and shall also be liable to fine if found guilty.
Also read: Lim Guan Eng Says Allegations Against Him Are To Tarnish His Image As An Opposition MP
