Prosecution closes case in Guan Eng’s undersea tunnel graft trial

 A total of 39 witnesses have given evidence since the trial started on July 13, 2021.

Lim Guan Eng is accused in the sessions court of using his position as chief minister to solicit a 10% share of profits from the undersea tunnel project, as well as receiving RM3.3 million in bribes from a businessman.

KUALA LUMPUR:

The prosecution in Lim Guan Eng’s undersea tunnel project wrapped up its case against the former Penang chief minister today after a trial spanning more than five years.

Deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharudin Wan Ladin told sessions court judge Azura Alwi that the prosecution had called all its witnesses to testify.

A total of 39 witnesses have given evidence since the trial started on July 13, 2021.

Among the key witnesses in Lim’s graft case were businessmen Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli and G Gnanaraja.

Other notable witnesses included former Malaysian ambassador to the US Nazri Aziz, former lawyer (now High Court judge) Adlin Abdul Majid and Penang executive councillor for infrastructure, transport and digital committee Zairil Khir Johari.

“There will only be one witness, who is MBPP (Penang Island City Council) mayor Rajendran Anthony, whom we will offer to the defence in the event that the accused (Lim) is called to defend himself,” Wan Shaharudin said.

The court then ordered both prosecution and defence to file their submissions before Jan 13, 2027.

“Both prosecution and defence are to appear before the court on Jan 26 and 27 for clarification,” Azura said.

Deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat also appeared for the prosecution.

Lim is represented by lawyers Haijan Omar, Ramkarpal Singh and Asyraaf Abu Bakar Hamzah.

Lim is accused of using his position as chief minister to solicit a 10% share of profits from the undersea tunnel project, as well as receiving RM3.3 million in bribes from Zarul.

He also faces two charges of dishonestly misappropriating state land worth RM208.7 million. - FMT