Latest news with #RM3.3mil
The Star
5 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
6 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
06-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Sabah sees surge in tourism: 1.44 million visitors in just five months
KOTA KINABALU: In the first five months this year, Sabah welcomed 1.44 million visitors, bringing in about RM3.3mil in tourism income, says Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. He said this when speaking at a dinner with Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and 15 foreign diplomats and officials from 10 countries in Semporna on Saturday (July 5). 'There have been no kidnapping cases in recent years, which shows how serious ESSCom (Eastern Sabah Security Command) is about keeping our waters and communities safe. 'This also helps the Sabah Tourism Board promote our state as a safe and friendly place to visit,' said Bangkuai. Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Awang Alik Jeman, Sabah's Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry permanent secretary Datuk Josie Lai, Joint Forces commander Datuk Zahani Zainal Abidin, and ESSCom commander Datuk Victor Sanjos, were also present at the event. Earlier in the day, the group visited Pulau Omadal, Pulau Sibuan, Pulau Bohey Dulang, and Pulau Mataking. 'We are seeing the results of working closely with our security and tourism teams. Tourists feel safe coming here, even to areas once considered risky, and investors are confident about putting money into tourism,' said Bangkuai, who is also the Sabah Tourism Board chairman. He stated that from the 1.44 million visitors to Sabah, 559,150 were international tourists and 879,420 were local tourists. China was still Sabah's biggest foreign market, with 243,688 visitors, followed by South Korea with 76,685. There was also a significant rise in visitors from Europe, numbering 35,240 between January and May, which was 25.6% higher than the same period last year. The UK and Ireland brought in 13,910 tourists, followed by Germany (3,854) and France (2,750). Meanwhile, the United States recorded 9,356 visitors, and Canada had 2,949. 'We are hopeful about the future of tourism in Sabah. With ESSCom's support and the trust of our visitors, we're ready to welcome even more tourists in the months to come,' said Bangkuai.
The Star
04-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Green light for RM450mil Melaka flood mitigation project
THE Federal Government has approved RM450mil in funds for the Sungai Baru Flood Mitigation Plan in Masjid Tanah, Melaka, to address recurring floods in the area. Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the project would span a 15km-stretch from Sungai Durian Daun to the mouth of Sungai Kuala Baru. He said it would also include the construction of four flood retention ponds in Kampung Londang, Kampung Jeram, Kampung Lubuk Redan and Taman Gamelan. 'This is a long-term initiative to tackle the flood problems affecting Masjid Tanah,' he told Bernama after visiting a Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) pump house as part of the Wakil Rakyat Untuk Rakyat engagement programme for the Lendu constituency at Taman Masjid Tanah Ria. Also present at the event were State Secretary Datuk Azhar Arshad, state science, technology, innovation and digital communications committee chairman Datuk Fairul Nizam Roslan and Lendu assemblyman Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali. For short-term flood prevention, Ab Rauf said DID was implementing RM3.3mil worth of state-funded projects, including the installation of pumps, construction of pump houses and compact substations as well as carrying out river maintenance works. Two existing flood retention ponds at Durian Daun and Solok Duku were also undergoing rehabilitation at a combined cost of RM1.85mil, which is expected to be completed by December. Separately, Ab Rauf urged the state's stage bus operator to take greater responsibility for safety standards, calling for improved driver training following a series of fatal public transport accidents. He noted that several incidents were linked to negligent driving, resulting in loss of life.
The Star
31-05-2025
- The Star
MMEA overcomes aggressive foreign vessel in Miri waters
KUCHING: A Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) patrol faced tense moments when they subdued an aggressive attempt by a Vietnamese fishing boat to trespass into Malaysian waters, near Miri, in northern Sarawak on Friday (May 30). Its director Miri Zone director, Maritime Captain Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad said the standoff occurred when the crew of a vessel from Vietnam, one of the foreign national vessels (VNA) involved, refused to cooperate when they were confronted at around 31 nautical miles (nm) northwest of Kuala Niah, Miri. "They carried out dangerous manoeuvres, throwing hard and sharp objects at the MMEA enforcement personnel in rough seas, threatening the safety and lives of the security forces,' he said in a statement on Saturday (May 31). However, the situation was successfully controlled and the foreign vessel, with three Vietnamese on board, was detained without any injuries to maritime personnel on duty. Earlier, the MMEA had detained another foreign vessel and five Indonesians on board at a position 38 nm northwest of Kuala Suai, Miri. Khairol said the two vessels and crew, aged between 25 and 53, were then taken to the Miri Maritime Zone Complex in a journey which took nearly 18 hours due to rough weather over the long distance. According to him, the two boats with fishing and navigation equipment, worth a total of about RM3.3mil, were seized, while the crew members are being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985.- Bernama
