George Town folk started their day this morning with heavier than usual traffic in the city’s streets as police mounted blocks on roads leading to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) state headquarters and the courthouse complex.
According to The Star Online, George Town OCPD Asst Comm Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said the blocks were set up to ensure a smooth journey for officials sending Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to the Sessions Court to face two corruption charges.
“We are not trying to cause trouble to the people but we have to do that for smooth court proceedings,” he was quoted saying, adding that the number of people allowed into the courthouse would also be monitored by police.
The news portal said thousands were late for work due to the bumper-to-bumper crawl along Jalan Pangkor to Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah before the MACC building and slow traffic on Lebuh Farquhar near the Penang courthouse.
The portal said the blocks affected those heading to several schools in the city such as the Convent Light School, St Xavier’s Institute and SMK Hutchings.
At the courthouse on Light Street, a massive crowd of leaders and supporters gathered since the early morning to show support for Lim.
When Lim’s counsels arrived at about 9am, the crowd swelled to more than several hundred, many milling around the compound as police stopped them from entering the already-packed courtroom.
Lim’s father and Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang arrived at about 9.45am to loud cheers from those gathered.
Shortly after, Lim was brought to the complex, earning more cheers.
The Penang chief minister is expected to be charged under Section 23 of the MACC Act and Section 165 of the Penal Code.
Section 23 of the MACC Act covers the offence of using one’s public office or position to obtain gratification for decisions made, while Section 165 of the Penal Code — which was used to convict former Selangor mentri besar Khir Toyo — pertains to the same offence.
He is expected to be charged over the rezoning approval of Magnificent Emblem’s application to convert agricultural land to residential purpose.
He is also expected to be charged over his house purchase, which was allegedly below market value.
Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali confirmed to Bernama yesterday that he will lead the prosecution team in Lim’s case.
Magnificent Emblem's director Phang Li Khoon, who was also arrested yesterday, is also expected to be charged today.
- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/tight-security-in-penang-as-guan-eng-awaits-corruption-charges#sthash.hlsjU6jR.dpuf
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