<p>Malaysia's former Finance Minister pleaded not guilty on Monday to a second corruption charge related to a $1.5 billion undersea tunnel project and slammed the case as a trumped-up charge by the new government.</p>.<p>Lim Guan Eng, 59, was first charged Friday with soliciting 10 percent of potential profits in 2011 as a bribe for the project planned in northern Penang state. On Monday, he was accused of abusing his power as Penang Chief Minister to obtain 3.3 million ringgit ($786,182) as an inducement to help a local company secure the construction contract.</p>.<p>The project was approved during Lim's tenure as Penang Chief Minister from 2008-2018 before he became Malaysia's Finance Minister.</p>.<p>Lim, who was part of a reformist government ousted in March, said anti-graft officials had never questioned him on the 3.3 million ringgit he allegedly received nor was there any evidence he had the money. He also noted charge gave a vague timeline, from 2011 to August 2017.</p>.<p>“This is clearly a baseless allegation and politically motivated. I will fight in court to prove my innocence," Lim told a news conference after the hearing. Each charge against him carries a potential punishment of up to 20 years in jail and a fine if convicted.</p>.<p>The 7.2 kilometres (4.5 miles) tunnel project from Penang island to peninsular Malaysia includes several highways and is to be funded through a land swap of reclaimed prime land. Construction hasn't started as the state government is still reviewing the feasibility study.</p>.<p><strong>READ: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/malaysias-ex-finance-minister-lim-guan-eng-charged-over-tunnel-project-870591.html" target="_blank">Malaysia's ex-finance minister Lim Guan Eng charged over tunnel project</a></strong></p>.<p>The anti-graft agency has said Lim will face a third charge Tuesday over a different case. Lim said in a Facebook post on Monday that his lawyer wife, Betty Chew, will also face money-laundering charges on Tuesday. He said his son has also been the target of slander on social media.</p>.<p>“To our political enemies out there, go for me as much as you want but leave my family alone," Lim wrote.</p>.<p>Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin took power in March after he pulled his party out of the ruling coalition and then-premier Mahathir Mohamad resigned in protest.</p>.<p>Muhyiddin's new Malay-centric government is supported by graft-tainted parties defeated in the 2018 general election.</p>.<p>Some political observers said Lim's prosecution could indicate a possibility of early elections. Muhyiddin faces pressure from the ally parties to call for polls as his unelected government has only a two-seat majority in Parliament. Elections are not due until 2023.</p>
<p>Malaysia's former Finance Minister pleaded not guilty on Monday to a second corruption charge related to a $1.5 billion undersea tunnel project and slammed the case as a trumped-up charge by the new government.</p>.<p>Lim Guan Eng, 59, was first charged Friday with soliciting 10 percent of potential profits in 2011 as a bribe for the project planned in northern Penang state. On Monday, he was accused of abusing his power as Penang Chief Minister to obtain 3.3 million ringgit ($786,182) as an inducement to help a local company secure the construction contract.</p>.<p>The project was approved during Lim's tenure as Penang Chief Minister from 2008-2018 before he became Malaysia's Finance Minister.</p>.<p>Lim, who was part of a reformist government ousted in March, said anti-graft officials had never questioned him on the 3.3 million ringgit he allegedly received nor was there any evidence he had the money. He also noted charge gave a vague timeline, from 2011 to August 2017.</p>.<p>“This is clearly a baseless allegation and politically motivated. I will fight in court to prove my innocence," Lim told a news conference after the hearing. Each charge against him carries a potential punishment of up to 20 years in jail and a fine if convicted.</p>.<p>The 7.2 kilometres (4.5 miles) tunnel project from Penang island to peninsular Malaysia includes several highways and is to be funded through a land swap of reclaimed prime land. Construction hasn't started as the state government is still reviewing the feasibility study.</p>.<p><strong>READ: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/malaysias-ex-finance-minister-lim-guan-eng-charged-over-tunnel-project-870591.html" target="_blank">Malaysia's ex-finance minister Lim Guan Eng charged over tunnel project</a></strong></p>.<p>The anti-graft agency has said Lim will face a third charge Tuesday over a different case. Lim said in a Facebook post on Monday that his lawyer wife, Betty Chew, will also face money-laundering charges on Tuesday. He said his son has also been the target of slander on social media.</p>.<p>“To our political enemies out there, go for me as much as you want but leave my family alone," Lim wrote.</p>.<p>Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin took power in March after he pulled his party out of the ruling coalition and then-premier Mahathir Mohamad resigned in protest.</p>.<p>Muhyiddin's new Malay-centric government is supported by graft-tainted parties defeated in the 2018 general election.</p>.<p>Some political observers said Lim's prosecution could indicate a possibility of early elections. Muhyiddin faces pressure from the ally parties to call for polls as his unelected government has only a two-seat majority in Parliament. Elections are not due until 2023.</p>