Lim Guan Eng's Corruption Trial: Legal Proceedings Unfold Alleged RM3.3 Million Bribe in RM6.3 Billion Project

Lim Guan Eng's Corruption Trial: Legal Proceedings Unfold Alleged RM3.3 Million Bribe in RM6.3 Billion Project


17 Jan 2024 • 7:00 PM MYT



MalayMail


In a surprising turn of events, the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court has mandated the prosecution to provide the defence with redacted documents, comprising 31 pages, related to a crucial witness statement. This pivotal move paves the way for impeachment proceedings in the ongoing corruption trial of former chief minister, Lim Guan Eng.


Presiding over the case, Sessions Court Judge Azura Alwi emphasized the necessity of the defence receiving these redacted documents within a fortnight, asserting their relevance to the impeachment proceedings. The documents in question encapsulate a statement from Datuk Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli, a prominent figure and director of Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZCSB), provided during the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) investigations.


Judge Azura Alwi meticulously reviewed Zarul Ahmad's statement under the MACC Act, concluding that specific segments pertinent to the case must be disclosed to the defence for the impending impeachment proceedings. The defence, led by lawyers RSN Rayer and Haijan Omar, had fervently pressed for these documents, aiming to challenge Zarul Ahmad's credibility given alleged discrepancies in his testimonies.


Interestingly, the defence spotlighted contradictions in Zarul Ahmad's statements during another court case involving businessman G. Gnanaraja in Shah Alam, Selangor. While testifying in the present trial, Zarul Ahmad purportedly claimed to have disbursed RM2 million each to Lim via cheque and then-Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in cash during 2017. Conversely, in the Shah Alam case, he reportedly indicated a singular payment to Gnanaraja via cheque, allegedly contradicting his previous testimony.


Attempting to reconcile these inconsistencies, Zarul Ahmad later claimed to have "rectified" his statement concerning the transactions. However, undeterred by this assertion, the defence promptly filed an application to secure Zarul Ahmad's testimony from the Shah Alam proceedings to instigate the impeachment proceedings.


In a notable development, the court acceded to the defence's request to vacate the remaining hearing dates for this month. This decision follows the appointment of the former lead defence lawyer, Gobind Singh Deo, as a Cabinet member last December, necessitating adjustments to the trial schedule.


As the legal proceedings unfold, Lim Guan Eng faces grave allegations, including the amended charge of leveraging his position as the erstwhile Penang chief minister to allegedly accept a bribe amounting to RM3.3 million. This purported bribe aimed to facilitate a lucrative construction project valued at an astounding RM6,341,383,702 for a company affiliated with Zarul Ahmad.



Additionally, Lim confronts another amended charge, accusing him of soliciting a bribe equivalent to 10% of CZCSB's profits from Zarul Ahmad, purportedly as an inducement to secure the aforementioned project. The gravity of these allegations amplifies with two supplementary charges, alleging Lim's involvement in the disposal of two parcels of land valued at RM208.8 million, purportedly linked to the proposed undersea tunnel project.


Amidst these intricate legal maneuvers and startling revelations, all eyes remain transfixed on the impending proceedings, poised to unravel further complexities surrounding this high-profile corruption trial.