IN the ongoing corruption trial involving Lim Guan Eng and the undersea tunnel project, businessman Datuk Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli, a key witness, admitted to amending statements provided to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in 2018.
Zarul stated his intention was to rectify the situation regarding a separate cheating probe involving fellow businessman G Gnanaraja.
Initially, Zarul did not implicate Lim in his statements to the MACC regarding the cheating probe in 2018.
However, during a subsequent recording session with MACC officers on Dec 9, 2019, Zarul expressed his desire to amend his earlier statements after reading a witness statement presented by colleague Ibrahim Sahari in the Shah Alam High Court.
When questioned by Lim’s lawyer RSN Rayer, Zarul clarified that he was not called to testify in Gnanaraja’s case but chose to amend his statements nonetheless.
“From Jan 19 to Sept 5, 2018, you told MACC that the money (RM19 mil) was handed to Gnanaraja so he (Gnanaraja) can help you ‘settle’ a money laundering case and get close to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak,” Rayer pointed out.
Zarul replied: “I wanted to correct the situation.”
Rayer: Because of (Ibrahim’s statement), you denied what you told MACC a year ago?
Zarul: Yes.
Moreover, Zarul also disclosed his heightened anxiety during MACC’s extensive probe and subsequent arrest, revealing that he remained confined to his house for two months at one point.
He further stated that his remand was related to the MACC investigation into the undersea tunnel project but clarified that MACC did not compel him to declare his assets or freeze them.
Lim faces charges of soliciting a 10% share of profits from the undersea tunnel project and accepting kickbacks from Zarul.
Furthermore, he is accused of dishonestly misappropriating RM208.7 mil worth of state land. The trial presided over by judge Azura Alwi will reconvene on April 1. – March 15, 2024
Main photo credit: Bernama
