GEORGE TOWN: Members of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) gathered at the Penang Court Complex here this morning to welcome Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
The group, believed to be from Persatuan Muka Buku, held banners which read "Rasuah Tanah Taman Manggis - DAP rakyat miskin" (Taman Manggis Land Deal – DAP citizenry made poor), "Lim Guan Eng letak jawatan" (Lim Guan Eng step down) and "LGE terlibat rasuah" (LGE involved in corruption).
Lim's supporters also arrived in droves to voice their support for the embattled chief minister.
Both sides also took turns to jeer at one another.
Several policemen were seen asking the crowd to behave themselves.
This morning has been fixed for the case management of Lim's corruption charge.
On June 30, Lim had claimed trial at the High Court here to charges of corruption and using his position for gratification.
On the first count, Lim is accused of using his position as a civil servant to obtain gratification for himself and his wife, Betty Chew, by approving an application by Magnificent Emblem Sdn Bhd to convert agricultural land to residential land while chairing a state Planning Committee meeting on July 18, 2014.
He was charged under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which 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, upon conviction.
On the second count, Lim is alleged to have used his position to obtain gratification by purchasing a house from businesswoman Phang Li Koon for RM2.8 million, which was a value he knew to be below the property's market worth of RM4.27 million, on July 28 last year.
He was charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which carries two years' imprisonment, a fine and forfeiture of property upon conviction.