Kuala Lumpur, June 30 (IANS): A prominent Malaysian opposition leader on Thursday pleaded not guilty to corruption charges.
Lim Guan Eng, chief minister of the northern Penang state and secretary-general of the opposition Democratic Action Party, denied the two corruption charges against him, Xinhua news agency reported.
Lim was under investigation by an anti-corruption body over his suspected purchase of an estate from a local businesswoman below market price.
He was arrested by the anti-corruption officials in his office on Wednesday.
The businesswoman was also arrested. Both she and Lim were released on bail after the hearing on Thursday.
In an article published on a local news portal, Lim insisted on his innocence and said the case was a "clear act of political persecution" against him.