MACC commenced special probe against Guan Eng in 2018, court hears

Lim Guan Eng is charged with using his position as chief minister to ask for a cut of the profits from Penang’s undersea tunnel project, accepting kickbacks and dishonestly misappropriating state land. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The sessions court here today was told that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) launched a “special investigation” into former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng over the undersea tunnel project in the state six years ago.

Key witness Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli said he learnt of the investigation from MACC officer Saiful Amir Hamzah when his statement was recorded in connection with a cheating case involving a fellow businessman.

Zarul had complained that G Gnanaraja allegedly cheated him of RM19 million.

In his testimony, Zarul acknowledged making no mention of Lim in statements recorded during the investigation into Gnanaraja.

Reminded that MACC would have warned him that he was obliged to disclose all matters during the investigation, defence counsel Haijan Omar asked Zarul: “Did MACC disallow you from speaking about my client (Lim)?”

In reply, Zarul said Saiful had told him to focus on Gnanaraja in his statement.

Haijan: Your testimony in court today (that Lim received bribes) is an afterthought.

Zarul: I disagree.

Zarul also admitted that his statement did not claim Gnanaraja was a “middleman” who had received money on Lim’s behalf.

He said payment to Lim was made only in cash, and not through any special purpose vehicle, including Gnanaraja’s Bumi Muhibah Capital Holdings Sdn Bhd.

Lim is standing trial on charges of using his position as then Penang chief minister to ask Zarul for a 10% cut of the profits from the undersea tunnel project and accepting RM3.3 million in kickbacks from the businessman.

He is also accused of two counts of dishonestly misappropriating RM208.7 million worth of state land.

The hearing continues on May 2 before judge Azura Alwi.

Haijan also requested that the court vacate the hearing scheduled for May 3 as Lim is due in the Penang High Court for a decision in another corruption case involving a foreign workers’ dormitory project worth RM11.6 million.