Former finance minister Lim Guan Eng was today slapped with two fresh charges linked to the Penang Undersea Tunnel project.

Lim, who is also former Penang chief minister, pleaded not guilty to both charges at the Butterworth Sessions Court.

The charges against him pertained to dishonest misappropriation of property by disposing two plots of land belonging to the Penang state government in Bandar Tanjong Pinang, totally worth RM208 million, to Ewein Zenith Sdn Bhd and Zenith Urban Development Sdn Bhd - both companies linked to the tunnel project, on Feb 17, 2015, and March 22, 2017.

If found guilty on the charges under Section 403 of the Penal Code, Lim, 60, could be jailed between six months and five years, and whipped, or fined.

The DAP secretary-general was represented by Gobind Singh Deo, Ram Karpal Singh, RSN Rayer and A Sivanesan, while deputy public prosecutors Wan Shaharudin Wan Ladin, Francine Cheryl Rajendram and S Selvaranjini prosecuted.

Lim was let off on the previous RM1 million bail he had paid at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, with one surety.

This is not the first time the DAP lawmaker has faced charges since Pakatan Harapan's reign came to an end last February.

On Aug 7 and Aug 10, Lim was slapped with charges of soliticing a bribe from Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd, in regards to the tunnel project.

A day later, he was also charged with abusing his power to obtain RM372,009 for his wife Betty Chew.

He pleaded not guilty to all three charges.


Source: NST
Photo source: Astro Awani