IN the ongoing trial of former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng regarding allegations of corruption linked to the undersea tunnel project, businessman Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli testified, revealing crucial details about a meeting involving Lim.
Zarul disclosed during the trial that in his statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) six years ago, he did not mention any request for a “10% cut” purportedly made by Lim.
The businessman recounted an encounter on Aug 28, 2017, when he accompanied Lim to the residence of fellow businessman G Gnanaraja.
At the said meeting, Zarul stated that Gnanaraja introduced Lim to his wife K Geethanjali and her mother, after which the men engaged in discussions regarding the potential strengthening of Lim’s ties with then former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak through a federal government project.
“Lim said he and the state government will not object to a TUDM (air force) project,” he said, adding that the meeting lasted for about an hour.
Zarul further testified that prior to their departure, Gnanaraja requested a photograph with Lim.
When questioned by Lim’s lawyer RSN Rayer, regarding the absence of any mention of a “10% cut” in his statement to the MACC, Zarul clarified that his statement focused solely on Gnanaraja’s case and did not include any reference to the alleged solicitation of profits from the undersea tunnel project.
Lim faces charges of leveraging his position as Penang chief minister to purportedly demand a 10% share of profits from the undersea tunnel project along with allegations of accepting kickbacks totalling RM3.3 mil from Zarul.
Furthermore, he is accused of two counts of dishonestly misappropriating state land valued at RM208.7 mil.
The trial proceedings presided over by Judge Azura Alwi at the sessions court are scheduled to resume on July 17. – June 7, 2024
