LGE supporters, detractors clash briefly at graft hearing
Police warn the two camps that action would be taken if they caused another ruckus.
GEORGE TOWN: Hundreds of people, both supporters and detractors of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, gathered outside the court building here this morning, ahead of his graft case hearing.
At one corner, Lim’s supporters were seen with t-shirts emblazoned with “Solidarity with LGE”, waving posters demanding Lim be freed from “politically motivated” graft charges.
On the other, a group of men called for Lim to be jailed over his “corruption” and “atrocities”.
About 8.45am, a small ruckus erupted when a supporter of Lim walked towards the other group and started taking photographs.
This prompted a member of the anti-Lim group to react by shouting and shoving his chest towards Lim’s supporter. This resulted in both sides hurling insults at each other.
Police stepped in at this juncture and diffused the tension.
Northeast district police chief ACP Mior Faridalathrash Wahid warned the two camps that action would be taken if they caused another ruckus.
On June 30, Lim was charged with using his public office or position to obtain gratification for himself and his wife, Betty Chew, by approving an application by Magnificent Emblem Sdn Bhd to convert agricultural land to residential purpose during a state exco meeting on July 18, 2014.
Lim was also alleged to have used his position to obtain gratification by purchasing a bungalow from businesswoman Phang Li Koon for RM2.8 million, below the property’s market value of RM4.7 million on July 28, 2015.
Today, the case management will be heard in chambers before High Court judge Hadhariah Syed Ismail.
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Lim defence team is led by Gobind Singh Deo.