Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has defended the Penang High Court's decision to acquit Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng over the alleged conversion of land status and purchase of a bungalow below market value.

Acknowledging the criticism over the decision, Mahathir suggested that Lim, who was the former Penang chief minister, was a victim of the previous BN administration.

“There has been criticism but as you know the previous government victimised the opposition (at the time)...