KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 ― Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng should go on official leave until the end of his corruption trial, Utusan Malaysia’s editors suggested today.
In an editorial, the paper’s editors also urged the federal opposition to push for the DAP secretary-general to take leave of his duties.
“Awang believes the majority of the opposition's leaders want Guan Eng to do so because that is the attitude of the opposition all this time when it involves government leaders.
“Therefore it is hoped that they will make the same demands on the Penang chief minister,” they wrote using the pseudonym Awang Selamat.
Noting that Lim and Phang are expected to be charged today, the daily also said that it should be left to the courts to decide whether the duo is guilty.
According to Penang DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow, Lim will be charged today under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act and Section 165 of the Penal Code, both covering the offence of a public official using his position to obtain gratification.
Both offences are punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, and forfeiture of property.
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.
Phang, who is the director of Magnificent Emblem as well as the person who sold Lim the house, is also expected to be charged today.
Following yesterday's arrest of Lim, opposition leaders claimed of a political conspiracy against him similar to what they alleged was used to imprison former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
