Malaysia arrests opposition official

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — A Malaysian opposition politician who has been critical regarding financial scandals involving Prime Minister Najib Razak was arrested Wednesday on allegations of corruption.

The arrest of Lim Guan Eng, chief minister of northern Penang state, drew accusations of a witch hunt by the government, which faces allegations of corruption in a multibillion-dollar scandal involving a state investment fund.

Lim has led Penang, one of three states run by the opposition, since 2008. His father, Lim Kit Siang, said Lim is expected to be charged today with two counts of graft, accused of purchasing a house in Penang at below market value.

The anti-corruption agency said in a statement that Phang Li Khoon, who sold the house to Lim, has also been detained and that both will face charges in court.

Opposition leaders slammed Lim’s arrest as a double standard, noting that no one has been charged over the billions of dollars missing from a state investment fund.

Opposition lawmaker Charles Santiago said the arrest is an “act of intimidation and abuse.” Another lawmaker, Tian Chua, said it could be a “prelude to an all-out assault on the entire opposition.”

Lim bought the house for $700,000 and said it was an open transaction between a willing buyer and a willing seller. Ruling-party lawmakers have said the house is worth more than double that amount, and the anti-graft agency has been investigating the sale since early this year.

Lim has been critical of Najib, who is grappling with accusations of corruption and mismanagement over allegations that nearly $700 million was channeled into his personal bank accounts from the investment fund.

Under pressure to resign, Najib has denied that the money came from the fund. The government cleared him in January, saying the money was a donation from the Saudi royal family and that Najib had returned most of it. The explanation was met with widespread skepticism.

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