BUTTERWORTH – The prosecution has handed over more than 100 documents to the defence team in the corruption and money-laundering case of former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng, his wife, Betty Chew Gek Cheng, and Phang Li Koon.
Deputy public prosecutor Syafiq Hasim informed Sessions Court judge Ahmad Azhari Abdul Hamid this during case management today.
He also told the court that the prosecution will submit five more documents, along with more than 100 other documents, that had been submitted previously, in hard-copy form, as requested by the defence.
Lawyer R.S.N. Rayer, representing Lim and Betty, did not object to it, and the court set February 19 for mention, as had been agreed to by both parties.
Also present in court today was lawyer A. Rueban, representing Phang. However, all the three accused were not in court as they had been exempted from today’s proceedings.
Lim, 60, Chew, 56, and Phang, 48, were charged in the Sessions Court last August 11 with corruption and money laundering.
All pleaded not guilty to the charges read out before judge Ahmad Azhari Abdul Hamid, who allowed them bail of RM50,000 each.
Lim was charged, in his capacity as then chief minister and chairman of the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) procurement board, with using his position for gratification involving RM372,009 for his wife through a company, Excel Property Management & Consultancy Sdn Bhd.
This was to ensure Magnificent Emblem Sdn Bhd was offered an invitation to propose a workers’ village at Lot 631, Mukim 13, Juru, Seberang Perai Tengah and part of Lot 282, Mukim 13, Batu Kawan, Seberang Perai Selatan, Penang, worth RM11,610,000, of which Chew had indirect interest.
The Bagan MP was charged with committing the offence between August 19, 2013 and March 3, 2016 in George Town, Penang.
Phang was charged with abetting Lim in committing the offence.
Meanwhile, Chew pleaded not guilty to three counts of money laundering by receiving RM372,009 from a company through her bank account.
On all three charges, Chew was alleged to have received RM87,009, RM180,000 and RM105,000, all proceeds from unlawful activities from Excel Property Management & Consultancy Sdn Bhd, and deposited into her Public Bank Bhd account. – Bernama, December 18, 2020
