The High Court has yet to fix a date to hear the corruption charges against Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, but verdicts have been delivered in the court of public opinion.

The decisions differ between supporters of BN and the opposition, with the former proclaiming the DAP leader guilty, while the latter consider the case to be a political plot.

However, Gerakan Youth deputy chief Andy Yong said it would be a political faux pas to haul Lim to court, if this was indeed part of a so-called stratagem.

“Regardless of the outcome, some will see Lim as an innocent political victim of the BN government, just like how they perceived Anwar Ibrahim's conviction.

“They believe the prime minister is in control of all the institutions.

“To me, regardless of whether Lim is guilty or not, such action will galvanise the opposition supporters and voters in the urban areas, especially Penang, instead of weakening it,” Yong added in a media statement.

He urged both sides to stop politicising the arrest, such as the donation drive and social media manipulation.

Political leaders should instead concentrate more on the development of the country and move forward.

“Ultimately as they (Lim’s camp) have appointed experienced legal practitioners, we can expect more in the coming months.

“It will be unfair and irrational to say all our judges are fixed. As a lawyer myself, I believe the rule of law still prevails in our country,” Yong added.

Yesterday, Lim claimed trial in the High Court in Penang to two corruption charges, one under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act and another under Section 165 of the Penal Code.

The charges are over his approval of an application by Magnificent Emblem Sdn Bhd to convert a piece of land from agricultural to residential purpose, as well as for his purchase of a bungalow from businesswoman Phang Li Koon at RM2.8 million, which was below the property’s market value of RM4.27 million.