The prosecution of Lim Guan Eng, chief minister of northern Penang state, has sparked accusations of a witch hunt by the government, which itself faces allegations of massive corruption in a multibillion-dollar scandal involving a state investment fund.
His father, Lim Kit Siang, said Lim was charged Thursday with abusing his power by purchasing a house in Penang at below market value after approving the conversion of a piece of agricultural land for commercial purposes to a company owned by the house seller.