On the eve of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s corruption trial, his biggest worry is his family.

“They (my family) are the primary damage because really, they suffer much more than us.

“For us, it is part of the struggle, we must face it. Whatever pain and suffering we face, it is something we have steeled ourselves for.

“But I think for the family members, they are not just collateral damage, they are the primary damage,” Lim (above) told Malaysiakini when contacted.

This is a difficult and stressful time for his family, he added, but they have to soldier on.

“Of course, they are very upset. As I said, it is a difficult time, but I think the only way is to tell them, you just have to fight on and battle on,” he said.

Describing the charges against him as a “conspiracy”, he said those behind the machinations were “evil” as it would cause long-lasting damage to his family.

Despite his worry, Lim remains hopeful that he will be able to prove his innocence in court.

He said he is prepared for any eventuality and will take everything in his stride.

The 23-day trial, set to kick off tomorrow, concern charges against Lim and businessperson Phang Li Koon (below, left) in connection with the purchase of a bungalow at below market price and the conversion of a plot of land.

Lim pleaded not guilty on June 30 last year to the two charges related to the land conversion and the purchase of his bungalow.

Penal Code charges

He was charged with using his position as a civil servant to allegedly gain gratification for himself and his wife, Betty Chew Gek Cheng, by approving the application for conversion of agricultural land to a public housing zone in southwest Penang to a company, Magnificient Emblem Sdn Bhd.

It is claimed he had committed the offence while chairing the Penang state planning committee meeting at the operations room, Level 28, Komtar building in Georgetown on July 18, 2014.

The charge, which comes under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009, provides for an imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of up to five times the sum or value of a bribe or RM10,000 whichever is higher, upon conviction.

The second charge concerns using his position to obtain for himself a plot of land and a bungalow located at No 25, Jalan Pinhorn, Georgetown on July 28, 2015, from Phang for RM2.8 million, a price which he allegedly knew did not commensurate with the property’s then market value of RM4.27 million.

The charge, under Section 165 of the Penal Code, provides for a jail term of up to two years, or a fine, or both upon conviction.

Phang has also pleaded not guilty to abetting Lim in obtaining the bungalow below cost.

The charge she faces, under Section 109 of the Penal Code read together with Section 165, provides for imprisonment of up to two years or a fine, or both upon conviction.