BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN — Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad also expressed shock over the acquittal of former Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan from corruption charges.
The charges were related to alleged conversion of land status and purchase of a bungalow at below market value.
Yesterday, the Penang High Court acquitted both Lim and co-accused Phang Li Koon of corruption charges in connection to the land conversion and bungalow purchase after the prosecution dropped the charges and sought an order for both accused to be discharged but not amounting to an acquittal.
However, lawyer Ramkarpal Singh representing Lim and counsel Datuk V.Sithambaram acting on behalf of Phang requested for their clients to be discharged and acquitted of the charges.
When asked about a statement by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission expressing shock over the decision, Dr Mahathir said: “They have a right to be shocked, I am too.”
He was speaking at a press conference at the Qashr Munee Palace here yesterday at the end of his two-day official visit to Brunei.
On June 30, 2016, Lim, who is currently Finance Minister, had claimed trial over the two corruption charges, involving conversion of land from agriculture status to housing and purchase of a bungalow in Jalan Pinhorn, George Town Penang at below market value.
