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The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
MACC IO reports money given to Lim Guan Eng in Penang tunnel case
KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer testified in court that he reported to superiors regarding money allegedly given to former Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. Senior Superintendent Ng Heng Jun stated that Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli, former director of Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd, disclosed payments made to both G. Gnanaraja and Lim during a fraud investigation in 2019. Ng clarified that while Zarul provided general details about the funds given to Lim, he was not directly involved in that specific investigation. 'I informed MACC superiors, and they assured a special probe would follow,' he said during re-examination by Deputy Public Prosecutor Farah Yasmin Salleh. The case involves a RM6.3 billion Penang infrastructure project. The witness confirmed he did not prevent Zarul from testifying about the payments to Lim. 'I wanted to avoid mixing evidence between the two separate cases,' Ng explained. Lim faces multiple charges, including allegedly accepting RM3.3 million in bribes linked to the project between 2011 and 2017. Additional charges accuse Lim of soliciting a 10% profit share from Zarul's company and improperly disposing of state land worth RM208.8 million. The trial before Judge Azura Alwi resumes on July 22. – Bernama
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Witness says he told MACC superiors about payments given to Lim Guan Eng
KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer (IO) told the Sessions Court here today 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 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 the 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 RM19 million 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 RM6.3 billion, 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 RM3.3 million 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 per cent 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 2.00am in March 2011. Additionally, Lim faces two charges of disposing of a couple of state-owned lots of land in Penang, valued at RM208.8 million, 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.
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
MACC knew of graft claims against Lim since 2018, court told
Published on: Thursday, July 10, 2025 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
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Sabah generates over RM16 billion under Sabah Maju Jaya
Published on: Thursday, July 10, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 10, 2025 By: Ricardo Unto Text Size: Nizam cited several key tourism investments, including the 333-room Sheraton Kota Kinabalu Hotel expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah recorded more than RM16 billion in tourism spending between 2021 and 2024, reflecting the sector's positive contribution to the State economy under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 1.0 Development Plan. Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, said at State Legislative Assembly that a total of 7.85 million tourist arrivals were recorded during the period. He said the figure comprised 5.45 million domestic tourists and 2.4 million international visitors. From January to May this year alone, Sabah received 1.44 million tourist arrivals – 848,420 domestic and 559,150 international – with spending totalling RM3.3 billion. 'Investor confidence in the tourism sector continues to grow,' he said when responding to a question by Nabawan Assemblyman Datuk Abdul Ghani Mohamed Yassin. Nizam cited several key tourism investments, including the 333-room Sheraton Kota Kinabalu Hotel expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year. He said the 400-room Club Med Borneo Kuala Penyu is scheduled for completion in July 2026, while the 450-room five-star InterContinental Hotel Papar is expected to be ready by 2027. He added that Tuaran would also see the development of a 160-room Hilton Garden Inn Resort. Meanwhile, Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu, with 222 rooms, began operations on Oct 1, 2022. Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu, offering 396 units, opened its doors on Feb 8, 2024. * 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
Daily Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Sabah tourism generates over RM16 billion under SMJ Plan
Published on: Tuesday, July 08, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 08, 2025 By: Ricardo Unto Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: Sabah recorded RM16 billion in tourism spending and 7.85 million tourist arrivals from 2021 to 2024 under the SMJ 1.0 plan, said Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan. Tourists included 5.45 million domestic and 2.4 million international visitors. From January to May 2025 alone, Sabah welcomed 1.44 million tourists, generating RM3.3 billion in spending. New investments include the Sheraton Kota Kinabalu (opening Q3 2025), Club Med Borneo Kuala Penyu (July 2026), InterContinental Papar (2027), and Hilton Garden Inn Tuaran. Hyatt Centric and Citadines Waterfront KK began operations in 2022 and 2024, respectively. * Read full report in tomorrow's print paper or log in or sign up for e-paper and premium online news access. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
