Penang DAP has urged the public to donate RM10 each to be in solidarity with Lim Guan Eng, after depleting its liquid funds for the Penang chief minister's RM1 million bail.

"DAP Penang has received many requests from the public who wish to contribute to the bail amount of RM1 million.

"For all Malaysians who wish to help and stand in solidarity with Lim, we encourage you to donate RM10 each," Penang DAP vice-chairperson Zairil Khir Johari said.

Lim was today charged with abuse of power and corruption at the High Court in Penang, with bail set at RM1 million on one surety.

The bail for Phang Li Koon, who was charged for abetting Lim, was set at RM200,000.

Zairil criticised the bail as being excessive.

"Lim's bail amount was set by the High Court at RM1 million, an amount that is extremely excessive, given that bail is simply meant as a mechanism to prevent an accused person from absconding.

"Clearly, there is no such risk in this case," he said.

Penang DAP chairperson Chow Kon Yeow said today the DAP headquarters had to chip in to raise sufficient funds for Lim, who is also the party's secretary-general.

"We had RM890,000 in our DAP Penang funds and we did not have enough liquid cash in that instant to achieve RM1 million so DAP headquarters had to top RM110,000 to get the amount,” he was quoted as saying.

Penang DAP is expected to return the RM110,000 to the DAP headquarters soon, so that its account will cover the entirety of the bail.