Guan Eng’s call whether to quit or stay as CM, minister says

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 ― Umno minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak said today that Lim Guan Eng can make his own choice whether to quit as chief minister over his corruption charges, noting that the leader is not compelled by law to do so at this point.

Speaking to reporters after launching YTL Corporation's new Yes 4G LTE Network, Salleh pointed out that Lim has only been charged thus far and his innocence or guilt would be determined by the court.

“There are some cases where the government won and cases where the government lost. To be fair to the courts, let it decide guilt or innocence,” he said.

“It is completely up to him whether to resign, in line with his stand and his party's stand on the matter. He has only been charged, there is no law (asking him to step down),” he added.

There have already been calls for Lim to vacate his post or go on leave pending the trial.

Lim is facing two charges over his purchase of his house on Jalan Pinhorn at below market value.

In the first charge under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Act, Lim is 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.

In the second charge under Section 165 of the Penal Code, Lim is alleged to have used his position to obtain gratification by purchasing his house from businesswoman Phang Li Koon at RM2.8 million, which was below the property’s market value of RM4.27 million on July 28, 2015.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Apandi Ali is personally leading the prosecution against Lim, who is in his second term as chief minister.

Previously, there were also calls for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to go on leave from his post pending investigations on the RM2.6 billion donation into his private accounts.

Najib, who stayed in his post, was eventually cleared of all wrongdoing by Apandi, who decided not to pursue with prosecution.