FORMER Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng, his wife Betty Chew and businesswoman Phang Li Koon lost the bid to dismiss corruption charges against them and the case will proceed.
Judicial Commissioner Rofiah Mohamad ruled that there were significant differences between the previous case and the current charges, emphasising that the principle of double jeopardy did not apply.
“For this doctrine to apply, the offence and facts must be the same,” she said.
She added there were no findings from the 25 witnesses in the previous unrelated criminal case against Lim where he was acquitted in 2018, adding that the attorney general has discretion in instituting proceedings against the accused.
Lim’s lawyer RSN Rayer expressed the intention to appeal the decision, stating, “We will file an appeal against this decision.”
Moreover, Lim himself affirmed his determination to fight and clear their name, stating, “We will continue to fight and clear our name.”
Both Lim and Phang were charged under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 while Chew was charged under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA).
Datuk V. Sithambaran represented Phang, while Syed Faisal Syed Amir, Ashrof Adrin Kamarul and Shafiq Hasim prosecuted. – May 4, 2024
Main photo credit: The Star
