Lim Guan Eng wants DAP to decide if he should go on leave or resign his chief minister's post in view of the charges against him.

However, judging by the comments of DAP acting chairperson Tan Kok Wai, it seems Lim is not likely to face any internal pressure to step aside, much to the disappointment of his political rivals who want his head to roll.

Tan claimed the party’s rank and file do not have the slightest doubt regarding their secretary-general’s honesty and integrity, which he described as nothing short of impeccable.

“His high moral standing is the quality of a leader that made the party proud and confident. Have faith and trust in him to continue leading Penang in this trying times,” Tan said.

Quizzed on his stand earlier, Lim replied: “The party will be discussing it."

His political opponents in Gerakan and Umno have been urging Lim to go on leave or resign pending his trial. The mention date for the case has been fixed for Sept 22.

Penang Umno chief Zainal Abidin Osman was among those who urged Lim to quit in order to protect the reputation of the office of the chief minister.

The Penang DAP committee is currently in an emergency meeting at Wisma DAP, the party's headquarters on Jalan Rangoon, to discuss matters after Lim was charged in court today.

Lim was charged under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 for approving the rezoning of a plot of land from agriculture to commercial use for the benefit of himself and his wife, Betty Chew.

The land purportedly belongs to Magnificient Emblem, in which one of the shareholders is businesswoman Phang Li Khoon.

Phang is the 44-year-old businesswoman who sold a two-storey bungalow on Jalan Pinhorn to Lim in July 2015.

Lim was also charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code for purchasing the RM2.8 million unit at below its market value.

Phang was slapped with one charge under Section 109 of the Penal Code, which is read together with Section 165.

She is accused of abetting Lim in obtaining a "valuable property" for himself by selling the bungalow to him.

After being charged, Lim was asked who footed the sum of RM1 million, on one surety, as bail for him, which was posted by state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh.

Lim said the money was paid by the party.