BUTTERWORTH: Former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng was charged at the Sessions Court here today with abusing his power to obtain RM372,009.00 for his wife Betty Chew Gek Cheng.
Lim, 60, who is also former finance minister and current DAP secretary-general, nodded his head in understanding when the charge was read to him by the court interpreter before Judge Ahmad Azhari Abdul Hamid.
He, however, pleaded "tidak bersalah" (not guilty) to the charge.
Lim is alleged to have used his position as the Penang chief minister and Penang Development Corporation (PDC) Tender Board to obtain gratification of RM372,009.00 for his wife Chew through Excel Property Management & Consultancy Sdn Bhd.
He allegedly used his position to ensure Magnificent Emblem Sdn Bhd was offered a request for proposal for a workers' quarters project in Batu Kawan in South Seberang Perai worth RM11,610,000.
He allegedly committed the offense sometime between August 19 in 2013 and March 3 in 2016 at the Penang chief minister's office at Level 28 in Komtar.
He was charged under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act.
Under Section 24(1) of the Act, he faces a jail term of not more than 20 years, a fine of no less than five times the amount involved, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Ahmad Akram Gharib, Mohd Mukhzany Fariz Mohd Mokhtar and Francine Cheryl Rajendram prosecuted.
Also charged at the same court was businesswoman Phang Li Koon, 48, for abetting Lim in committing the offense.
She was charged under Section 28(1)(c) of the MACC Act 2009 to be read together with Section 23 (1) and Section 24(1).
Meanwhile, Chew claimed trial to three charges of money laundering.
On the first count, she was alleged to have received RM87,009 which is proceeds of an unlawful activity from Excel Property Management and Consultancy Sdn Bhd.
The sum was allegedly banked into her Public Bank account in Melaka sometime between October 7 in 2013 and August 4 in 2014.
She is also alleged to have received a further RM180,000 which is proceeds from an unlawful activity from the same company and banked into the same bank account.
The charge was allegedly committed between September 3 in 2014 and August 11 in 2015.
The third charge against her was for receiving RM105,000 which is proceeds from an unlawful activity from the same company and banked into the same bank account.
She allegedly committed the offense between September 4, 2015 and March 3, 2016.
All three charges were under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA) for receiving proceeds of an unlawful activity.
The section carries a punishment of a jail term not more than 15 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount involved or RM5 million whichever is higher.
Today is the third time since Friday that Lim was charged in court.
On Friday, he claimed trial at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to soliciting a bribe from the company awarded the contract to undertake the controversial undersea tunnel project.
Lim was accused of asking for 10 per cent of profits from Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli to help his company, Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd, secure the project to build the undersea tunnel.
He was charged under Section 16 (a)(A) of the MACC Act, which carries maximum 20 years' jail and a fine of up to five times the value of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
Yesterday, he claimed trial to abusing his power as the then chief Minister to obtain RM3.3 million monetary gratification as an inducement to appoint Zarul's company to implement the RM6,341,383,702 three paired roads and Penang Undersea Tunnel projects in the state.