MACC knew of graft claims against Lim since 2018, court told
Published on: Thu, Jul 10, 2025
By: Ho Kit Yen, FMT Text Size: DAP's Lim Guan Eng is charged with using his position as then Penang chief minister to ask a businessman for a 10% cut of the profits from the undersea tunnel project and accepting RM3.3 million in kickbacks. (Bernama pic) Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) knew that former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng had been implicated in graft since 2018, the sessions court was told today. MACC investigating officer Eng Heng Jun told Lim's undersea tunnel trial that he had taken statements from witness and businessman Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli in his investigation into a cheating case. Ng said Zarul claimed that money had been paid to Lim for the project. 'I told Datuk (Zarul) to give his statement later to another (investigating officer) who would handle this case. 'I also told this to my supervisors, and they said a special investigation (against Lim) would commence,' he told the court. The witness also said that he doubted neither Zarul's credibility nor the businessman's statement to MACC in the cheating case. Eng said his investigations — which were corroborated by evidence — showed that Zarul had passed RM19 million to another businessman, G Gnanaraja, in 2017. Lim is charged with 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 before judge Azura Alwi continues on July 22. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
NationGate's core business viewed as ‘sound'
The news triggered heavy trading of NationGate shares. PETALING JAYA: Nationgate Holdings Bhd 's subsidiary has been raided by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over alleged scrap metal smuggling. NationGate, in a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday, stated the anti corruption watchdog raided the premises of its wholly-owned subsidiary, NationGate Solution (M) Sdn Bhd on Monday, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged scrap metal smuggling. In its latest annual report, the group noted NationGate Solution is involved in the assembly and testing of electronic components and products. The news triggered heavy trading of NationGate shares yesterday with Rakuten Trade head of equity sales Vincent Lau saying the selling was likely driven by a 'sell first, ask later' reaction among investors. He opined that NationGate's share price should stabilise at current levels. 'The group's data centre prospects remain intact for now, with reputational risks stemming from the MACC raid rather contained,' Lau said, adding NationGate's core business 'remains sound' and the company's partnership with Nvidia Corp is unlikely to be affected by the raid news. NationGate closed the trading day at RM1.49, down 12 sen, with 160.5 million shares traded. Intraday short selling of NationGate shares was suspended by the local bourse after a 15% plunge following the company's announcement of the event to Bursa Malaysia. The suspension will be lifted today. The Penang-based tech company's shares had tested a high of RM1.70 and low of RM1.35 in intraday trade. NationGate is one of only four elite Asian original equipment manufacturer partners of Nvidia. It serves as Nvidia's only contract manufacturer in South-East Asia, specialising in building artificial intelligence (AI) servers equipped with the US tech goliath's high-performance graphics processing units, which are mainly deployed in AI-based data centres. 'I believe Nvidia would have done its due diligence and recognised NationGate's capabilities, which is why NationGate was appointed in the first place. I do not think this issue would cause Nvidia to switch to another partner,' Lau said. NationGate stated it views the allegations with 'utmost seriousness' and has taken 'proactive steps' to ensure full cooperation with the MACC and to 'safeguard the integrity of the investigation'. 'Our company remains steadfast in its commitment to the highest standards of corporate governance, accountability and transparency,' it said in the filing. NationGate also assures stakeholders that the board will use its 'reasonable endeavours' to ensure business operations remain unaffected, and 'appropriate interim measures' have been put in place. 'This (scrap metal) is just a small part of its business, and even if it's stripped out, it would not affect NationGate's earnings in a meaningful way,' Lau said.
Malaysian Reserve
2 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Investor Alert: Fraudulent Group Impersonating IG Wealth Management
Be an informed investor – Protect yourself against fraudulent schemes TORONTO, July 15, 2025 /CNW/ – The Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) is warning investors about a scam trading group that is impersonating CIRO-regulated firm IG Wealth Management and its employees and promoting fraudulent digital trading services through social media apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Scammers have been operating several fake Facebook pages under various names including 'IG Management: Path to FIRE' and 'Achieve FIRE with Larren Lawson,' that impersonate brand pages of IG Wealth Management and misuse the company's logo, name, marketing materials and employee identities. They are also running fake Facebook profiles under the names 'Phillip Ray Petursson' and 'Keric Nadia Kathleen' that impersonate IG Wealth Management's Chief Investment Strategist, Philip Petursson, and Nadia Keric, a real financial planner who does not work for IG Wealth Management. Other fake Facebook and LinkedIn accounts associated with this scam use the names Kent Ver (Markus), Victoria Arber and Sean Larren, and fraudulently list IG Wealth Management as their employer. Investors should beware of any communications from the fake accounts listed above on social media or messaging apps. The only authorized social media accounts for IG Wealth Management are linked on the company's website. To Protect Yourself Against Fraud: Verify the authenticity of any communication by contacting firms directly using their official website and contact details. Report suspicious activities where entities either claim to be regulated by CIRO or work for CIRO to CIRO immediately. Avoid sharing personal or financial information without confirming the legitimacy of the request. CIRO is committed to protecting investors and providing resources to address fraudulent activities. For more information on identifying and reporting scams, visit the CIRO website. Please note that investors can confirm with CIRO's Complaints & Inquiries team to verify the legitimacy of anyone claiming to represent CIRO. All individuals registered to offer financial advice in Canada are listed on the National Registration Search of the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA). CIRO's Office of the Investor provides resources to help Canadians avoid investment fraud and protect their financial well-being. See Avoiding Fraud and Protecting Your Investments on CIRO's website for additional information. If you believe you have been a victim of this or a similar scam, immediately contact your bank, local police, your provincial securities commission, and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. If there are claims of CIRO regulation or the fraudster claims to work for CIRO, please also report it to CIRO. About CIRO The Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) is the national self-regulatory organization that oversees all investment dealers, mutual fund dealers and trading activity on Canada's debt and equity marketplaces. CIRO is committed to the protection of investors, providing efficient and consistent regulation, and building Canadians' trust in financial regulation and the people managing their investments. For more information, visit
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Asean news headlines as at 10pm on Tuesday (July 15)
Malaysia Freedom of Information Bill expected to be tabled by year-end, says Anwar Teen hands over mother's jewellery worth RM140,000 to scammers Cabinet yet to receive official memo on US ambassador pick, says Fahmi Maori community can be a model for Orang Asli tourism, socio-economic development, says Zahid Fighting corruption boosts economic growth, ensures national harmony, says Anwar Integrated Asean supply chain key to tackling US trade policies, says Liew Govt to review Judicial Appointments Commission Act, says Azalina KL ranks 12th globally in QS Best Student Cities 2026 Border control agency tightening security at transit zones to prevent illegal entry Anwar expected to announce judicial appointments July 16 Malaysia to host Smart City Expo KL 2025 in September Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong honours Sabah, reaffirms commitment to Asean Malaysia's economic model must be readjusted to withstand external pressures, says HR minister MACC nabs two Bangladeshis linked to 'counter setting' syndicate Rock legends Deep Purple are back in Kuala Lumpur after 15 years for a super concert at Mega Star Arena on Nov 23 University stabbing suspect remanded for four days Two Chinese nationals killed in crash on NSE near Tapah MAHB enhances KLIA T1 with RM30mil upgrades to improve passenger experience In the heart of Sabah, Danum Valley is a living jungle like no other No evidence of AI chip smuggling found, says Zafrul Japanese multinational to invest RM500mil in mall expansion in Seremban 2 Tourists can plan their journey around KL with this handy guidebook Loke: PM to announce new Chief Justice after obtaining Malay Rulers' consent Mara to sponsor 100 students bound for NZ varsities S'wak exploring strategic tie-ups in utilities, space industry in China Bali ferry tragedy: Wisma Putra confirms M'sian's death, says all consular processes concluded 'Superman' Syed Saddiq attends birthday party of Bella Astillah's children Singapore Singapore intensifies crackdown on vapes; young suspected Kpod peddlers nabbed in Bishan, Yishun The Violinist, Singapore's first animated historical film, set for August 2026 release Singapore public healthcare institutions to record all Kpod cases, confiscate vapes Singapore researchers get S$25mil grant to screen, treat lung cancer in Asian patients Actor-artist Chen Xi marries Japanese girlfriend in Singapore Singaporean actress Sheila Sim takes hair-cutting course after giving daughter 'awful' haircut S$10mil Toto results to be announced on July 17; no winners in past three draws Thailand Supreme Court hears fourth session on Thaksin's hospitalisation during sentence Thailand delays tourist entry fee till 2026 Golf, the femme fatale embroiled in sex scandal with monks, faces arrest over embezzlement of temple funds Suspended Thai PM asks court for more time to respond to ethics case Thailand unexpectedly delays naming new central bank chief Thai police submit sedition case against Hun Sen to prosecutors Thailand's changing cannabis rules leave farmers in a tough spot French President Emmanuel Macron, right welcoming Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto at the Elysee Palace in Paris n July 14. - AP Photo Indonesia Indonesia rescues 11 who swam for hours to survive boat capsize Search extended for 17 missing victims in Bali Strait ferry tragedy Indonesian diva and pop princess Bunga Citra Lestari to jive stage with Jaclyn Victor and violinist Dennis Lau for 'love concert' in KL Indonesia trains migrants workers as cultural ambassadors abroad Philippines Magnitude 5.8 earthquake strikes Luzon, Philippines Cops raid online lending company in Pasig City, nab 168 employees Reforms could help transform Philippines into middle-class society by 2040: World Bank Search for missing Philippine cockfighting enthusiasts in Taal Lake to take six months: Remula Vietnam Vietnam's capital to help residents switch to electric vehicles SpaceX expected to launch Starlink services in Vietnam from fourth quarter German customs officials find 1,500 tarantulas hidden in biscuit packaging from Vietnam Vietnam's former top health official prosecuted in dual bribery scandals Cambodia Archaeologists restoring ninth brick tower of Bakong temple in Cambodia's famed Angkor park Defence minister demands public apology for assault on Cambodian soldier at Ta Mone Thom Cambodian ministries going digital with e-invoice platform Myanmar Four consecutive earthquakes strike within hours in Myanmar Myanmar welcomes over 500,000 foreign tourists in H1 2025 Laos Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar to release 100 million fingerlings into rivers Laos moves toward integrating digital ID systems Brunei Brunei Sultan announces landmark reforms and digital transformation on 79th birthday Brunei's lion dance troupe to 'roar' at world championships China is experiencing a relentless heatwave, with temperatures forecast to exceed 40 deg C in parts of the country as residents prepare for the summer season to reach its peak on July 20. - AFP Aseanplus Australia sidesteps US tensions to seek closer China trade ties Hong Kong opens probe into AI-generated porn scandal at university China's Xi vows greater support for Russia as he meets Lavrov Pilot groups reject claims of human error in Air India crash Japan man sells Ferrari to fund shelter for 'taxing' dogs, repay pet that saved his life Heatwave sweeping across China could be unprecedented Parent of top student, teacher break into South Korean school to steal exam papers Typhoon Nari makes landfall over Japan's Hokkaido Teacher, teen arrested at Hong Kong airport in 'Ice', ketamine drug cases China steps in as US pulls back from diplomacy, report says Elegant Fine Caviar: Malaysian-owned caviar from a sturgeon farm in China World's oldest marathon runner dies aged 114 in road accident Fringe party vows to put 'Japan First' to chip away at LDP rule China's Q2 GDP growth tops forecast even as US tariff risks mount Squid Game's tragic couple speak out on their harrowing on-screen relationship Tech takes centre stage as Chinese students weigh up major choices Fringe party vows to put 'Japan First' to chip away at LDP rule Astronauts from India, Poland, Hungary head for splashdown with NASA veteran Japan's ruling coalition seen losing upper house majority, polls show Australia looks to scrap surcharges on most card payments Nvidia's CEO says it has US approval to sell its H20 AI computer chips in China Lego doubling down on China market Japan launches government body to address concerns over foreigners Bangladesh struggles to contain the fallout of an uprising that toppled its leader last year 'Butter': the foodie feminist bestseller skewering sexism in Japan Japan ruling party support plunges ahead of national election in NHK poll HK actor Ray Lui's wife flaunts RM216k handbag while vacationing with husband in Europe Asian markets mixed as China's economy meets forecasts
