Rahim cleared of corruption charges

Rahim cleared of corruption charges

MALACCA, Malaysia (AFP): A former Malaysian state minister, cleared last year of a sex charge, was yesterday acquitted by the High Court of two corruption charges involving two land deals.

Judge Azmel Ma'amor acquitted Rahim Thamby Chik, former chief minister of southwestern Malacca state, after public prosecutor Mohtar Abdullah withdrew the charges based on "new evidence that had affected the prosecution's case."

Rahim had pleaded not guilty to the charges of corruptly approving in March 1989 an application of Syarikat Dayamik Sdn. Bhd. to convert land from leasehold to Malay customary land and subdivide them into two lots for business use.

Rahim is alleged to have vested interest in the applications.

The flamboyant Rahim, a former leader of the youth wing in Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's ruling United Malays National Organization, was forced to quit as chief minister and all political posts in October last year over allegations he had sex with a minor.