Kuala lumpur: An investigating officer informed the Sessions Court today that the absence of a money trail has not compromised his investigation into the Penang undersea tunnel corruption case involving Lim Guan Eng.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Investigation Division senior officer Zulhilmi Ramli explained that the RM3.3 million allegedly given to the former Penang Chief Minister was delivered in cash in stages, avoiding any banking or account transfers, thereby leaving no trace. Despite this, Zulhilmi asserted that his investigation remained solid, supported by the testimony of key witness Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli, a former director of Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZCSB).
The investigation was further corroborated by other witnesses, including businessman Datuk Seri G Gnanaraja, Azli Adam, former senior vice president of Finance and Corporate Services at Consortium Zenith Beijing Urban Construction Group Sdn Bhd, and Ibrahim Sahari, a former director of CZCSB. All confirmed that cash withdrawals took place and meetings occurred between Zarul Ahmad and the accused at the latter's office. Documents obtained during the investigation indicated that meetings were held inside a car involving Zarul Ahmad, Gnanaraja, and the accused, with evidence reinforced by forensic reports, including photographs taken inside the car and at the house.
Zulhilmi was testifying during examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin. The prosecutor questioned why the MACC still selected Gnanaraja as a witness despite defence claims of contradictions between his statement and Zarul Ahmad's. Zulhilmi explained that he considered Gnanaraja's statement about the RM2 million payment to the accused, supported by Zarul Ahmad's testimony. Zarul Ahmad admitted and confirmed that four bags, each containing RM1 million, were given to Gnanaraja.
Lim, 65, faces multiple charges, including abusing his position as Penang chief minister to receive RM3.3 million in return for helping a company owned by Zarul Ahmad secure the Penang Major Roads and Tunnel Construction Project, valued at approximately RM6.34 billion. The alleged offence took place at the Penang Chief Minister's Office between January 2011 and August 2017.
Additionally, Lim is accused of soliciting a 10 per cent cut out of the project's future profits for assisting Zarul Ahmad's company in securing the project. This alleged offence occurred near The Gardens Hotel, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, Kuala Lumpur, between 12.30 am and 2.00 am in March 2011. Lim also faces charges of disposing of state-owned land in Penang, valued at RM208.8 million, to a developer linked to the undersea tunnel project, with these offences allegedly committed at the Penang Land and Mines Office, Komtar, on Feb 17, 2015, and March 22, 2017.
The trial before Judge Azura Alwi resumes on May 14.