malaysiakini logo
story-image
story-image
story-image
mk-logo
News
LIVE: Guan Eng's graft trial: Trial adjourned to April 9
ADS

LIVE REPORT | The much-watched corruption trial of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng involving his purchase of a bungalow from businesswoman Phang Li Khoon resumed today with the prosecution presenting 14 witnesses.

Yesterday, Lim's lead counsel Gobind Singh Deo grilled Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s main witness Muhsin Latheef, a Facebook marketer, and tried to demolish his allegations against the chief minister.

Gobind showed that Muhsin, also known by his pen name "Mamu Parpu", is a hardcore supporter of Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Gobind claimed the attack against Lim was a "political conspiracy" and furnished proof of Muhsin's social media account which called for support for BN in GE14, accompanied by the hashtag "Kami
gang Najib" (We are Najib's gang).

Gobind also showed Muhsin, who lodged a corruption report against Lim at the MACC and police, had no expertise in property value, or knowledge of when Lim purchased the bungalow or signed the sales and purchase agreement, and therefore was not likely to have any evidence to back his claims.

The trial is to go on for 35 days with 55 prosecution witnesses, and in the coming days, the argument will most likely centre on establishing that Lim bought the bungalow below market value.

The other 10 persons yesterday were formal witnesses, who testified Lim's official details such as his marriage to Betty Chew and his appointment as chief minister in March 2008.

Follow Malaysiakini Live report today for updates on the trial today.


7.00am: Reporters have begun to line up to get their passes to cover Lim's trial. This is to avoid being barred from covering the trial as places are limited to only 20 news outlets.

About 10 Lim's supporters, all women in black, are seen gathered at the courthouse, hoping to get early passes into the courtroom...


Please join the Malaysiakini WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news and views that matter.

Unlocking Article
Unlocking Article
View Comments