Latest news with #RM19mil
The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
Witness: MACC bosses knew of payments to Lim
KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer informed his superiors about money paid to Lim Guan Eng in connection with the Penang undersea tunnel project case, the Sessions Court heard. Senior Supt Ng Heng Jun testified that during a fraud investigation on Dec 9, 2019, Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli, then Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd director, revealed he had given money to Lim and G. Gnanaraja. 'Zarul only told me in general terms about the money given to Lim. I was not involved in the investigation on the money given to Lim because the case was handled by another investigating officer. 'I then reported the matter to MACC superiors, and was informed that a special investigation would be conducted on the case,' said Ng, who is the investigating officer in the RM19mil fraud case involving Gnanaraja, Bernama reported. The 36th prosecution witness said this during re-examination by DPP Farah Yasmin Salleh in the corruption case involving the construction of a major road and undersea tunnel project in Penang worth RM6.3bil involving Lim, the former Penang chief minister. Ng said he never stopped Zarul Ahmad, the 23rd prosecution witness, from giving evidence to MACC regarding the money given to Lim. 'I asked him (Zarul Ahmad) to give evidence on the handing over of money to Lim for the case against Lim because I don't want his evidence to be mixed up with the case I am investigating as the two cases are different,' he said. According to the amended first charge, Lim, 64, is charged in his capacity as the then chief minister of abusing his position to receive a RM3.3mil bribe to assist a company owned by Zarul Ahmad in securing the Major Roads and Undersea Tunnel Construction Project in Penang valued at RM6,341,383,702. The offence allegedly took place between January 2011 and August 2017 at the Chief Minister's Office in Penang. Under the amended second charge, Lim is accused of soliciting a 10% bribe out of the project's future profits from Zarul Ahmad for assisting his company in securing the same project. The offence allegedly took place near The Gardens Hotel, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, between 12.30am and 2am in March 2011. Additionally, Lim faces two charges of disposing of a couple of state-owned lots of land in Penang, valued at RM208.8mil to a developer linked with the undersea tunnel project. The offences were allegedly committed at the Penang Lands and Mines Office, Komtar, on Feb 17, 2015 and March 22, 2017. The hearing before Judge Azura Alwi continues on July 22.
The Star
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
I told superiors about money allegedly given to Guan Eng, MACC officer tells court
KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer (IO) told the Sessions Court here Thursday (July 10) that he had informed his superiors about Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli's statement over money paid to Lim Guan Eng in connection with the Penang undersea tunnel project case. MACC Senior Superintendent Ng Heng Jun said during a fraud investigation on Dec 9, 2019, Zarul Ahmad, who was then the director of Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZCSB), revealed that he had given money to both G. Gnanaraja and Lim. "Datuk Zarul only told me in general terms about the money given to Lim. I was not involved in the investigation into the money given to Lim because the case was handled by another investigating officer. "I then reported the matter to my MACC superiors, and I was informed that a special investigation would be conducted into the case," said Ng, who is the investigating officer in the RM19mil fraud case involving Gnanaraja. The 36th prosecution witness said this during re-examination by Deputy Public Prosecutor Farah Yasmin Salleh at the trial of the corruption case involving the construction of a major road and undersea tunnel project in Penang worth RM6.3bil, involving the former Penang chief minister. Ng said he never stopped Zarul Ahmad, who is the 23rd prosecution witness, from giving evidence to the MACC regarding the money given to Lim. "I asked him (Zarul Ahmad) to give evidence regarding the handing over of money to Lim for the case against Lim because I don't want Datuk Zarul's evidence to be mixed up with the case I am investigating because the two cases are different," he said. According to the amended first charge, Lim, 64, is charged in his capacity as the then chief minister of Penang, of abusing his position to receive a bribe of RM3.3mil to assist a company owned by Zarul Ahmad in securing the Major Roads and Undersea Tunnel Construction Project in Penang, valued at RM6,341,383,702. The offence allegedly took place between January 2011 and August 2017 at the Chief Minister's Office in Penang. Under the amended second charge, Lim is accused of soliciting a 10% bribe out of the project's future profits from Zarul Ahmad for assisting his company in securing the same project. The offence allegedly took place near the Gardens Hotel, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, between 12.30am and 2am in March 2011. Additionally, Lim faces two charges of disposing of a couple of state-owned lots of land in Penang, valued at RM208.8mil, to a developer linked to the undersea tunnel project. These offences were allegedly committed at the Penang Land and Mines Office, Komtar, on Feb 17, 2015, and March 22, 2017. The hearing before Judge Azura Alwi continues on July 22. - Bernama
The Star
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Penang undersea tunnel graft trial witness ‘compelled' to tell truth due to evidence
KUALA LUMPUR: A key prosecution witness in the Penang undersea tunnel project trial said he was compelled to tell the truth after being presented with extensive evidence and new documents by graft investigators. The witness said this was despite initially intending to exonerate former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng. Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZCSB) former director Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli admitted he could not deny the events, even though his testimony might damage Lim's reputation. "In this case, I didn't want to involve Lim Guan Eng in anything or any investigation," he told the Sessions Court on Tuesday (May 27). He said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) presented substantial evidence from previous witnesses and documents he had never seen before, compelling him to testify truthfully. Zarul Ahmad previously testified that he felt indebted to Lim for awarding his company the project and had tried to shield Lim from investigation by bribing a businessman to halt MACC investigations. He also admitted to forging payments through his staff to conceal bribes made to Lim. "It was a measure to protect Lim and ensure there's no financial trail leading to him," he said when re-examined by Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin. Zarul Ahmad was questioned about discrepancies in his statements regarding payments made to influence investigations. Wan Shaharuddin asked about earlier cross-examination statements where Zarul said he paid money to protect Lim Guan Eng, while during impeachment proceedings, he said he paid RM19mil to close an investigation against him. This investigation was being conducted in connection to offences under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLA) Zarul Ahmad explained that the two were related as an AMLA investigation could lead to Lim, and he aimed to prevent that by paying to avoid a case. He then added that Lim was aware of his efforts - including payments - after he met with Lim about businessman G. Gnanaraja. Zarul clarified that he paid RM19mil to Gnanaraja, introduced to him by former minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz and said to be close to then Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, to close the MACC investigation, not RM22mil as previously stated. He admitted his actions were driven by a desire to protect Lim, insisting he did not lie. Zarul Ahmad was then released from court, ending his testimony. MACC investigating officer Ng Heng Jun, who handled a previous case involving Zarul and Gnanaraja in Shah Alam, testified as the 36th prosecution witness. In the 2019 Shah Alam case, Zarul sued Gnanaraja for cheating him of RM19mil to induce dropping money laundering charges. Gnanaraja pleaded guilty to an alternative charge under the Companies Act and was fined RM230,000, while the cheating case was classified as "no further action (NFA)". A 108-page statement by Zarul to the MACC for the Shah Alam case was used in this court to impeach Zarul's credibility due to conflicting statements involving Gnanaraja. Lim, 64, faces an amended charge of using his position as Penang chief minister to solicit RM3.3mil in bribes to help Zarul secure the undersea tunnel project worth RM6.34bil. Lim allegedly committed the offence at the Penang Chief Minister's Office, Level 28, Komtar, George Town, between January 2011 and August 2017. In a second amended charge, Lim is accused of soliciting a 10% profit from the company as gratification to secure the project. The offence was allegedly committed near The Gardens Hotel, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, in March 2011. Lim faces two further charges of causing two plots of land worth RM208.8mil, belonging to the Penang government, to be disposed of to two companies linked to the project. The trial before Judge Azura Alwi continues on June 24.
The Star
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Open tender process was ‘staged', says prosecution witness
KUALA LUMPUR: A key prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of the Penang undersea tunnel project involving former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng said the purported open tender process was 'staged' for his company to secure the project, the Sessions Court heard. Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZCSB) former director Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli said the project was not awarded through an open tender. He was being re-examined by deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat about the nature of the meetings between Chinese construction firm Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) – a special purpose vehicle for the project – and the Penang state government. 'The project's memorandum of understanding (MOU) did not state that the project would be done through an open tender. That is the reality. 'The MOU did not mention an open tender at all; the meetings we attended with the state government showed that, although it was an open tender, it was staged for us to secure the project. 'Since the RFP (request for proposal) was prepared together with us, it gave us a head start. When the RFP was called to include other bidders, they were given a short time to prepare their submission,' he said. Zarul Ahmad noted that his company had a 'head start' since 2011. 'We were also one of the parties involved in the RFP preparation stage, so there was indeed insider information.' Zarul Ahmad also confirmed that apart from three official meetings with the state government, there were informal meetings with state officials to gather information for the RFP. Zarul Ahmad also confirmed that Lim informed him in early May 2011 about the change of the project's bidding to an open tender. Despite this, he said BUCG was still invited to attend meetings, which took place both before and after the announcement of the open tender by Lim. Zarul Ahmad also revealed that a RM19mil payment made to businessman G. Gnanaraja was for the sole purpose of stopping an investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and had nothing to do with an ongoing investigation by the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN). Last Nov 14, Zarul Ahmad testified that LHDN officers raided his home and office in 2017 at the height of public debate over the project. He also said that a large amount of cash in a safe he kept was untouched despite the LHDN and MACC raids. 'I received RM79mil from Datuk Ewe Swee Kheng for a land-swap deal for Lot 702 between 2013 and 2016. I cashed out some of the money and kept it in my office safe for emergencies, as well as the general election, as I would give contributions to those I supported. But the officers did not touch it during the raids,' he said. Lot 702 was part of a land swap agreement related to the feasibility and detailed design studies for the Penang undersea tunnel project. Ewe, who was Ewein Bhd founder and executive chairman, was due to be called as the 15th prosecution witness, but was found dead after a fall from a condominium on Oct 5, 2021, in Pulau Tikus, Penang. Lim, 64, is facing an amended charge of using his position as then Penang chief minister to solicit RM3.3mil in bribes as an inducement to assist Zarul Ahmad in securing the undersea tunnel project worth RM6.34bil. Lim allegedly committed the offence at the Penang Chief Minister's Office, Level 28, Komtar, George Town, between January 2011 and August 2017. In the second amended charge, Lim is accused of soliciting a 10% profit from the company as gratification to secure the project. The offence was allegedly committed near the Gardens Hotel, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City here, in March 2011. Lim, who is Bagan MP, faces two further charges of causing two plots of land worth RM208.8mil, belonging to the Penang government, to be disposed of to two companies linked to the project. The trial before Judge Azura Alwi continues on May 27.
The Star
14-05-2025
- The Star
Undersea tunnel case: RM19mil payment to businessman was to stop MACC probe, court told
KUALA LUMPUR: A key witness in the ongoing corruption trial of Lim Guan Eng revealed that a RM19mil payment to a businessman was intended solely to avoid an investigation by the graft buster, despite the businessman also being monitored by the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), the Sessions Court heard. Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZCSB) former director Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli said the payment to G. Gnanaraja, said to be close to then prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, had nothing to do with the ongoing investigation by LHDN. "The assignment for Gnanaraja was just to close the anti-money laundering investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and had nothing to do with other agencies, including LHDN," he said during the re-examination by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat. Last Nov 14, Zarul Ahmad testified that LHDN officers raided his home and office in 2017 at the height of public debate over the project. He also said he was fearful as he kept a large amount of cash in his office. "I received RM79mil from Datuk Ewe Swee Kheng for a land-swap deal for a plot of state land, known as Lot 702, between 2013 and 2016. "I cashed out some of the money and kept it in my office safe for emergencies and also the impending general election, as I would give contributions to those I supported. "The cash had been there, but the enforcement officers did not touch it during the raid. "They did not search my office, only looked at documents and took them," he said, adding that the safe was "untouched." Lot 702 was part of a land swap agreement related to the feasibility and detailed design studies for the Penang undersea tunnel project. Ewe, who was Ewein Bhd founder and executive chairman, was due to be called as the 15th prosecution witness in the trial, but was found dead after a fall from a condominium on Oct 5, 2021, in Pulau Tikus, Penang. Zarul Ahmad further explained his motivations behind the substantial payment to Gnanaraja. "Although I knew paying him RM19mil was wrong, I didn't want the investigation to lead to Lim Guan Eng. "I feared a thorough investigation would expose the monetary transactions," he admitted, highlighting his desire to protect not only Lim but also himself. "In truth, I needed to safeguard Lim Guan Eng because I felt indebted to him." Zarul Ahmad also denied that his statements implicating Lim were made under duress from the MACC. "There were actually no threats from the MACC. I was the last person called after they gathered all the evidence. They presented everything to me, and I had no choice but to tell them what happened," he said. When asked about the nature of the meetings held between Chinese construction firm, Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG), a special purpose vehicle for the project and the Penang state government, Zarul Ahmad reiterated that the project was not awarded through an open tender, saying the processes were "staged". Zarul Ahmad: The project's memorandum of understanding did not state that the project would be done through an open tender. That is the reality. The MOU did not mention open tender at all; the meetings we attended with the state government showed that although it was an open tender, it was staged for us to secure the project. Since the RFP (request for proposal) was prepared together with us, it gave us a head start. When the RFP was called to include other bidders, they were given a short time to prepare their submission. Mahadi: It is suggested that during the open tender process, all procedures were conducted correctly and transparently, and you disagreed. Why? Zarul Ahmad: As I said, we had a head start since 2011, as we already knew the details of the project that would be tendered. We were also one of the parties involved in the RFP preparation stage, so there was indeed insider information. Then, a visit to China conducted by Penang's executive council was only for BUCG and not for other Chinese companies bidding. With this, I maintain that the appointment of Consortium Zenith-BUCG Sdn Bhd (CZBUCG) was staged. CZBUCG was a joint venture formed by CZCSB and BUCG to undertake the undersea tunnel project in Penang and was awarded the project. Zarul Ahmad also confirmed that apart from the three official meetings with the state government, there were informal meetings with state officials to gather crucial information for preparing the RFP. "My officers contacted state officials, sometimes one-on-one, sometimes in groups of two or three. These were all informal meetings to obtain the information necessary for the RFP we were tasked with," he said, adding that most of the input provided in the meetings was reflected in the RFP. For example, Zarul Ahmad mentioned the inclusion of a paired road directed by an engineer, which was recorded in the minutes, illustrating the advantage BUCG enjoyed. Additionally, he also mentioned knowledge of a concession toll not documented in the meeting minutes. "Based on the actions by the state government, including a visit to China to see BUCG, the meetings and the MOU signed, it appeared as though the project would be awarded to BUCG through something akin to direct negotiation," he added. Zarul Ahmad also confirmed that Lim informed him in early May 2011 about the change of the project's bidding to an open tender. Despite this, he said BUCG was still invited to attend meetings, which took place both before and after the announcement of the open tender by Lim. Lim, 64, is facing an amended charge of using his position as then Penang chief minister to solicit RM3.3mil in bribes as an inducement to assist Zarul Ahmad in securing the undersea tunnel project worth RM6.34bil. Lim allegedly committed the offence at the Penang Chief Minister's Office, Level 28, Komtar, George Town, between January 2011 and August 2017. In the second amended charge, Lim is accused of soliciting a 10% profit from the company as gratification to secure the project. The offence was allegedly committed near The Gardens Hotel, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City here, in March 2011. Lim, who is Bagan MP, faces two further charges of causing two plots of land worth RM208.8mil, belonging to the Penang government, to be disposed of to two companies linked to the project. The trial before Judge Azura Alwi continues on May 27.
