DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng is scheduled to be sworn-in as finance minister this afternoon amid an ongoing corruption case, which he claims was politically-motivated.

His lawyer Ramkarpal Singh said there is no law which bars the former Penang chief minister from assuming his new post.

The lawyer pointed out that a person is considered innocent until proven otherwise.

"That is the basic principle, so there is nothing to preclude Lim from being sworn in today, there is no hindrance and no barrier from being sworn in.

"Our stand has always been that the charges are politically motivated. We have been consistent on that since day one,” he stressed.

The Penang High Court has postponed Lim's case after Ramkarpal informed the court that the defence would file a representation with the incoming attorney-general for the charges to be dropped.

"We will propose that the charges be dropped, of course, it is up to the new attorney-general to consider whether to drop the charges or accept it.

"At the moment, there is a grey area as to the status of the AG (Mohamed Apandi Ali) who has been asked to go on leave and whether a new AG will be appointed before his (Apandi's) contract ends in July,” he said.

Previously, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Lim would have to clear his name before being appointed.

Responding to a question on how this would impact the independence of the judiciary, Ramkarpal brushed off such concerns.

"It has nothing to do with politics at all. As I said earlier these charges are politically motivated, and we want a representation to the new AG.

"If they are rejected, we will continue with the case, no problem. We hope the representation will be accepted and the charges dropped," he added.

Ramkarpal, who is also Bukit Gelugor MP, said Pakatan Harapan has always advocated judicial independence and rule of law.

On June 30, 2016, Lim claimed trial in relation to the conversion of land from agriculture to residential and the purchase of a plot of land and bungalow at below market value.

If convicted, Lim faces imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of up to five times the sum or value of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

He faces a second charge of using his position to obtain for himself a plot of land and a bungalow, located at No 25, Jalan Pinhorn, George Town, on July 28, 2015 from businesswoman Phang Lih Koon for RM2.8 million, which was alleged below the market value of RM4.27 million.

If convicted, Lim faces jail term for up to two years, or a fine, or both

Phang also claimed trial to the charge of abetting Lim in obtaining the bungalow at an undervalued cost.

If convicted, she faces an imprisonment of up to two years, or a fine, or both, upon conviction.