KUALA LUMPUR: The key witness in Lim Guan Eng’s undersea tunnel corruption trial testified that a “friend” of the former Penang chief minister had said his company would receive land in part payment for conducting feasibility studies for the project.
Businessman Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli told the sessions court here that he met the late Ewe Swee Kheng sometime in 2013 after a mutual friend introduced them.
“At that time, my company was having some financial problems after a large shareholder withdrew. I had to find a source (of funds) for the undersea tunnel’s feasibility studies.
“Ewe said he had met Lim (before) and Lim assured me that my company (Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd) will be granted the (ownership of) Lot 702,” he said.
Zarul also claimed that Ewe told him that Lim had expressed hope that Ewe could assist in the matter.
Ewe died Oct 6, 2021, after he fell into a swimming pool from his apartment.
“He promised to fund me (for the feasibility studies) and knew that I would receive Lot 702,” he said.
Zarul confirmed that between November 2013 and December 2015 his company received RM79.8 million as part of payment for feasibility studies.
Deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin then asked Zarul about a preliminary agreement between his company and the state government.
“Under these terms, you are entitled to receive Lot 702 and 713 after you completed all four feasibility studies for the undersea tunnel and three road projects?” he asked.
Zarul answered in the affirmative.
Wan Shaharuddin: Has the ownership of both lands been transferred to you?
Zarul: Yes, but only part of Lot 713 was transferred.
Wan Shaharuddin: But you have not completed the feasibility studies?
Zarul: Yes (the studies are not complete).
‘I had to sleep on the cement floor’
Zarul also told of his “emotional experience” when he was remanded by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for 11 days in 2018.
“I had to sleep on the cement floor, despite having a slip disk. It was painful for me.
“And 30 to 40 officers came to see me throughout the 11 days (to record statements),” he added.
Zarul also said his pictures were taken when he was handcuffed and brought to court for remand, “as if I was a murderer”.
“I was asked questions about the tunnel project and (businessman) G Gnanaraja, but towards the end of my remand, they (MACC officers) told me to prioritise Gnanaraja’s case first,” he added.
Asked by lawyer Haijan Omar why his statements never mentioned anything about Lim’s alleged involvement in corruption, Zarul said he did inform MACC officers about it, but that they did not record it.
The hearing continues before judge Azura Alwi on Aug 26.
Lim is standing trial, 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.
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