The Selangor menteri besar, in a statement this evening, said he spoke to Lim shortly before his arrest and before being taken to the Penang Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters.
“I told Lim that I am solidly behind him in this very trying moment as he stands persecuted by the powers that be, who are obviously hell-bent on undermining him and the state government of Penang.
“Let me make it clear that I have complete faith in his stewardship of the Penang state and I applaud his unstinting efforts at having successfully transformed the state government as a shining example of transparency, accountability and good governance.”
Lim was arrested at his office in Komtar, Penang, earlier today. About a dozen MACC officers were seen entering various parts of Komtar, in what appeared to be a lock-down.
Six men entered his state executive council boardroom, where a regular meeting was ongoing. Another four entered later.
Lim’s lawyer and Seri Delima DAP representative R S N Rayer was with him but, according to Azmin, MACC’s action still raised grave concerns over the even-handedness of the investigations, and the objectiveness of the Attorney-General’s Office in warranting the move.
“As I have maintained previously, the extraordinary attention and exceptionally swift response in respect of Lim’s case stands in sharp contrast to the lack of action taken in respect of the innumerable reports against Prime Minister Najib Razak.
“Make no mistake. These latest moves are nothing but part and parcel of a vicious and relentless conspiracy to discredit Lim and other prominent members of the federal Opposition.”
He added that the onus was now on the MACC to prove that its investigations and prosecution were free from any interference.
This, he said, was absolutely essential in a democracy and for the maintenance of the rule of law.
“Not only must justice be done but it must also be seen to be done.”
Lim is expected to be charged at the Penang Sessions Court tomorrow under Sect 23 of the MACC Act for allowing an application to rezone a piece of land owned by Phang Li Khoon’s company Magnificent Emblem, and Sect 165 of the Penal Code for buying a property below market value.