Court fixes Sept 3 to hear appeal against Lim's acquittal for graft

The Court of Appeal has fixed Sept 3 for mention of a case brought by activist Muhsin Latheef, who is seeking a judicial review over former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng's acquittal on graft charges.

Muhsin's lawyer, Shamsher Thind Singh, said that his client wants the Penang High Court to review its decision to acquit Lim over two counts of corruption involving the purchase of a bungalow in the state.

"Muhsin was the complainant and the first witness in the bungalow case, which was heard at the Penang High Court in March 2018," Shamsher said in a statement today.

"In his appeal, Latheef also asked that Lim be acquitted without discharge, so that he can be charged again in the future, if necessary, just like former premier Najib Abdul Razak and former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

"The two Umno leaders are currently charged in court for multiple corruption charges, although they were previously cleared by former Attorney-General Apandi Ali."

On Sept 3 last year, Lim was cleared of two graft charges in connection with the alleged status conversion of state land and the purchase of a bungalow at below market value.

The court also acquitted businessperson Phang Li Koon of abetting Lim in obtaining the bungalow at an undervalued cost.

Meanwhile, Shamsher recalled that Attorney-General Tommy Thomas had acted as Lim's lawyer in a similar case, but in a different proceeding.

"This amounts to a conflict of interest. Justice shall not only be done, it must be seen to be done," he said.

On Aug 3, Thomas had recused himself from all deliberations pertaining to the graft case following allegations of conflict of interest.