YOU are doing this to us, and God is watching you … I hope that one day you will get what you have done to my family.
A visibly distraught Betty Chew Gek Cheng, the wife of former Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, said this when she gave an emotional speech at a press conference at Bagan parliamentary service centre today.
The press conference was held after she was slapped with three charges of money laundering at the Sessions Court in Butterworth.
“We hope that the people will keep us in their daily prayers. Adversity will make us stronger and unite us. It will also make our love grow stronger.
“We have received words of encouragement for the past few days and they helped us to continue fighting. We will go on,” Chew, 55, said.
Chew said she has been a lawyer for 26 years.
“Like most of the lawyers, we are trained to be very careful and to be law-abiding. We make sure that our words and actions are lawful,” she said.
She also thanked the supporters for being there for her family.
Earlier, Chew was charged with accepting RM87,009 in illegal money inside her bank account from Excel Property Management & Consultancy Sdn Bhd at Public Bank Berhad in Taman Melaka Raya in Malacca between Oct 7, 2013 and Aug 4, 2014.
The offence falls under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act (AMLA) 2001, which is punishable under Section 4(1) of the same Act.
The charge under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act (AMLA) 2001 carries a fine of not more than RM5 million or a maximum five years jail, or both, upon conviction.
She faces two more charges under Section 4(1)(b) of the same Act for receiving RM180,000 between Sept 3, 2014, and Aug 11, 2015; and RM105,000 between Sept 4, 2015, and March 3, 2016.
The charge under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act (AMLA) 2001 carries a jail term of not more than 15 years, and a fine of no less than five times the amount involved, or RM5 million, whichever is higher.
Chew claimed trial to all three charges.
Meanwhile, Lim was charged with using his then Chief Minister and Penang Development Corporation chairman positions to obtain gratification of RM372,009 for his wife through Excel Property Management & Consultancy Sdn Bhd between Aug 19, 2013 and March 3, 2016 at the Penang Chief Minister’s Office in Komtar.
According to the charge sheet, Lim was said to have received the amount to ensure that Magnificent Emblem Sdn Bhd is offered to build a workers’ dormitory in Juru and Batu Kawan, worth RM11.61 million.
The offence, under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009 and punishable under Section 24 of the same Act, carries a maximum 20 years jail and a fine of no less than five times the amount of gratification, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Lim, 60, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Businesswoman Phang Li Koon, 47, was charged with abetting Lim in committing the offence between Aug 19, 2013 and March 3, 2016 at the Penang Chief Minister’s Office in Komtar.
She claimed trial.
The charge, under Section 28(1)(c) of the MACC Act 2009 read together with Section 23(1) and Section 24(1) of the same Act, carries maximum 20 years jail and a fine of no less than five times the amount of gratification, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Judge Ahmad Azhari Abdul Hamid allowed bail of RM50,000 in one surety for Phang. He also set bail at RM50,000 in one surety for Chew.
In addition, Judge Ahmad Azhari allowed bail of RM50,000 in one surety for Lim.
He fixed Oct 16 for case mention.
Lim was represented by Gobind Singh Deo, Ramkarpal Singh, R.S.N. Rayer and V. Vemal Arasan; while Chew was represented by Ramkarpal Singh, Sangeet Kaur Deo and Lee Khai.
Phang was represented by V. Sithambaram and A. Rueban Kumar.
Meanwhile, deputy public prosecutors Ahmad Akram, Mohd Mukhzany Fariz Mohd Mokhtar, Roslan Mat Nor and Francine Cheryl Rajendram prosecuted.
Earlier today, the police were on standby in front of the Butterworth court premises to maintain order as early as 7am.
The supporters who were present were constantly advised by the police to maintain physical distancing while showing their support.
Among those present were Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad and Darwina Mohd Daud