Not enough proof found in initial probe to charge Guan Eng, MACC man tells court

 

Initial investigation found insufficient evidence to charge former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng over the undersea tunnel corruption case, an MACC investigating officer told the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today.

MACC senior enforcement officer, Zulhilmi Ramli, 34, said he learned this in January 2020 while on the special task force, before taking over as investigating officer that June.

“At that time (January 2020), several investigation papers related to the case were opened and investigated by four investigating officers,” he said during cross-examination by Lim’s lawyer Haijan Omar at the corruption trial of the Bagan MP concerning the RM6.3 billion major roads and undersea tunnel construction project.

Zulhilmi added that when he took over, he received investigation files containing a memorandum stating that the case against Lim had been discontinued.

“If there is insufficient evidence, the matter must be reported to the department head to allow witnesses to be recalled to complete the investigation,” said the 38th prosecution witness.

Meanwhile, Zulhilmi disagreed with Haijan’s suggestion that the investigation focused solely on Lim, saying it covered all aspects.

Earlier, in his witness statement, Zulhilmi said that after being appointed investigating officer, he received a complaint regarding the case.

The said case was an extension of a 2018 matter in which Lim was suspected of abusing his power and position as Penang chief minister in the awarding of an RM6.7 billion project for the construction of three major roads and an undersea tunnel to Consortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd.

Under the first charge, Lim, 65, is accused of abusing his position to receive RM3.3 million in return for helping a company owned by businessperson Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli secure the Penang major roads and tunnel construction project, valued at approximately RM6.34 billion.

The alleged offence took place at the Penang Chief Minister's Office between January 2011 and August 2017.

The second charge states that the Bagan MP solicited a 10 percent cut out of the project’s future profits from Zarul for assisting his company to secure the project.

The alleged offence occurred near The Gardens Hotel, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, Kuala Lumpur, between 12.30am and 2am in March 2011.

Additionally, Lim faces two charges of disposing of two 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.

The trial before judge Azura Alwi resumes on June 4. 

- Bernama