Key witness in Lim Guan Eng trial says he told the truth
Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli, 66, former director of Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZCSB), stated that the corruption did occur, supported by the substantial evidence and documents presented by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) during investigations.
'I was compelled to tell the truth. If I were to follow my heart, I would wish for YB Lim Guan Eng to win in this case, as I owe him a debt of gratitude.
'However, upon reviewing the evidence and documents, I could not deny that the offence indeed took place,' said the 23rd prosecution witness.
He made this statement during re-examination by deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin in the RM6.3 billion corruption case involving Lim Guan Eng.
Wan Shaharuddin: You informed the court that you were instructed to issue a press statement regarding the project, and that the contents of that statement were untrue, yet you proceeded to issue it. Is that correct?
Zarul Ahmad: I did so to protect my project, to avoid escalating tensions with the then Chief Minister of Penang, Lim Guan Eng, and to safeguard his interests.
Zarul Ahmad acknowledged that in the statement, he claimed the project was obtained transparently and without any criminal wrongdoing, which he admitted was false.
Wan Shaharuddin: So you deliberately misled the people of Penang to protect Lim Guan Eng's image despite knowing your statement was untruthful?
Zarul Ahmad: I am indebted to him and followed his instructions, as he was serving as the Finance Minister at the time.
According to the amended first charge, Lim, 64, is accused, 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 percent bribe out of the project's future profits from Zarul Ahmad for assisting his company in securing the same project.
The solicitation allegedly took place near The Gardens Hotel, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, between 12.30 am and 2.00 am 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.
The trial before Judge Azura Alwi is scheduled to resume on June 24.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
12 hours ago
- New Straits Times
University lecturer falls victim to two online scams, loses over RM170,000
KUALA TERENGGANU: A senior university lecturer fell victim to two separate scams just days apart — one involving a cryptocurrency investment and the other a parcel scam. Kuala Terengganu district police chief Assistant Commissioner Azli Mohd Noor said the 54-year-old man lost RM162,170 in the cryptocurrency scam and another RM10,000 in the parcel scam. According to him, in the cryptocurrency case, the victim became acquainted with a woman from Hong Kong on a social media app on July 15. She introduced and explained cryptocurrency investments to him. "On July 19, the victim expressed interest and registered with the 'cryptoproe' investment platform. "Between July 19 and 25, he made five transactions from his Luno account to the cryptoproe platform, totalling RM162,170. "The victim only realised he had been scammed when he was unable to withdraw his 'coin' profits from the platform and was instead asked to invest more funds by the syndicate," he said. Azli added that the victim used his savings for the investment. The man filed a police report at 5.07pm yesterday. In the second case, on July 27 at about 7.15am at his residence, the victim said he met someone named Elizabeth on the same social media app and developed an online romantic relationship. He then provided her with his home address so she could send a parcel to Malaysia. "However, someone claiming to be from a courier company contacted the victim, asking for RM4,000 in delivery fees. They also claimed that customs had found cash in the parcel addressed to him. "To resolve the matter, the victim was instructed to pay RM8,500, but he was only able to pay RM6,000 to get the parcel released," Azli explained. He added that when the victim attempted to pay the remaining RM2,500 at an ATM in the city, the transaction failed. Upon checking with the bank's anti-scam unit, it was confirmed that the recipient's account had been flagged for fraudulent activity. Only then did the victim realise he had been deceived, resulting in a total loss of RM10,000 — all from his savings. "The victim filed a second police report at the Kuala Terengganu police station around 3.12pm yesterday. Both cases are being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating," he said.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Man charged with raping ex-sister-in-law
KUALA LUMPUR: An unemployed man was charged at the Sessions Court today with raping his former sister-in-law in 2023. The 31-year-old claimed trial before Sessions Court judge Siti Shakirah Mohtarudin. He is accused of raping the 31-year-old victim at her house in Bandar Bukit Jalil around 3.30am on Jan 22, 2023. The charge, framed under Section 376 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum 20-year jail term and whipping, upon conviction. Police investigations revealed that the accused fled after the victim lodged a report two years ago. However, his luck ran out when he was arrested in a separate case involving a drug offence. Further checks showed he was wanted for the alleged rape. He was earlier charged in the magistrate's court over the drug-related case. Deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Zul Hilmi Latif did not offer bail as the offence is non-bailable. "But if the court wants to use its discretion to allow bail under Section 388 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the prosecution asks for a high bail to be imposed. "The accused must also be ordered to report to the police station monthly and not harass the victim," he said. The accused, who was not represented, was asked by the judge whether he understood the charge and if there was anyone who would post bail. "I understand. No one is here to bail me," he said. Siti Shakirah did not grant bail and set Aug 26 for document submission and appointment of a lawyer.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Unemployed man pleads not guilty to raping former sister-in-law
KUALA LUMPUR: An unemployed man pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court today to a charge of raping his former sister-in-law two years ago. The 31-year-old accused allegedly committed the offence at an apartment in Bandar Bukit Jalil, Cheras, at 3.30 am on Jan 22, 2023. The charge falls under Section 376 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and whipping upon conviction. Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Zul Hilmi Latif did not request bail, citing the non-bailable nature of the offence. The accused was unrepresented during the proceedings. Judge Siti Shakirah Mohtarudin set Aug 26 for the next mention of the case. - Bernama
