Azmin Ali confident Guan Eng will be acquitted of charges

(The Star) – Azmin Ali is convinced that Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng will be acquitted of the corruption charges brought against him, maintaining that they are “politically motivated”.

Party deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali said it should not be forgotten that Lim was innocent until proven guilty by the courts.

“Let me reiterate that I not only choose to give him full benefit of the doubt but that I am convinced he is innocent of these charges.

“I am further convinced that if the proceedings are free from any kind of executive interference and the judiciary is not subject to any kind of pressure directly or indirectly, Guan Eng will be acquitted and fully vindicated,” he said in a statement, Thursday.

Azmin, who is Selangor Mentri Besar, also called on the Opposition bloc to unite against the Government.

“Let us set aside all our past differences and prejudices and return to the drawing board. We need to forge a consensus, stronger than ever before, and build a solid bloc for the next general election,” he added.

Lim was arrested at his office in Komtar on Wednesday afternoon after chairing the weekly state executive council meeting.

He is facing two corruption charges, namely for improper use of state-owned land and for purchasing his Jalan Pinhorn bungalow at below market price in July last year.

The Chief Minister claimed trial to both charges when produced in court on Thursday morning and was later released on RM1mil bail.

Also charged together with Lim was businesswoman Phang Li Khoon, who was responsible for selling the bungalow to Lim and his wife.