High Court set bail at RM1 million for Lim Guan Eng

The High Court set bail at RM1 million for Lim Guan Eng this afternoon after the Penang chief minister claimed trial to two corruption charges.

After his plea was recorded, Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali, who led the prosecution team, proposed the bail sum and asked that Lim be compelled to inform the court if he planned to travel abroad.

During mitigation, Lim’s lead counsel Gobind Singh Deo requested for the accused to be allowed to inform the court and the AG’s Chambers of this travel plans two days before departure.

Judicial Commissioner Datuk Azmi Ariffin granted the request and agreed not to impound Lim’s passport, also setting bail at RM1 million with one surety.

Lim Guan Eng First Charges

Lim Guan Eng Second Charges

Phang Li Koon Charges

In the case of businesswoman Phang Li Koon, who also claimed trial to her charge, Apandi asked for bail to be set at RM200,00 with one surety and no additional conditions, which the court allowed.

Azmi later fixed September 22 for case management in chambers for both cases.

Lim and Phang are facing charges over an allegedly corrupt house purchase deal they struck last year.

Lim is facing two charges ― one under Section 23 of the MACC Act and another under Section 165 of the Penal Code.

He is accused of using his public office or position to obtain gratification for himself and his wife, Betty Chew, by approving an application by Magnificent Emblem to convert agricultural land to residential purpose during a state planning committee meeting on July 18, 2014.

Section 23 carries a jail term of not more than 20 years and a fine of five times the value of gratification or RM10,000 whichever is higher.

In the Penal Code charge, Lim is alleged to have used his position to obtain gratification by purchasing his house from Phang at RM2.8 million, which was below the property’s market value of RM4.27 million on July 28, 2015.

The second offence is punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, and forfeiture of property upon conviction.

Phang meanwhile has been charged with abetment under Section 109 of the Penal Code over the sale of the house on Jalan Pinhorn to Lim.- Reffer to Malay Mail Online