MACC gets approval to seize Daim's Ilham Tower again
In 2023, the MACC seized the building under the MACC Act 2009.
The anti-graft agency announced today that it will seize the property under Section 51(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001...
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New Straits Times
33 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Lim Guan Eng's corruption case: Judge suggests key witness to apply for protection
KUALA LUMPUR: Sessions Court Judge Azura Alwi today advised the key witness in the corruption trial involving Lim Guan Eng to apply for witness protection through the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) or the police, rather than the court. She said Datuk Seri G. Gnanaraja, 44, who is the 37th prosecution witness, should channel his concerns to the prosecution instead. "This is an MACC case, and I believe the MACC has the authority to ensure the safety of its witnesses. "There is no need to bring it to this court. What can the court do? If I issue an order but it is not enforced, it is meaningless. Such an application should be made to the police or the MACC. "I agree with the defence that there is no need to raise this during the trial. This is a court, not a place to make media statements. "We understand and sympathise with what happened, but we cannot speak out of context. What the court wants to know is whether this witness can give evidence or not, if not, we can inform the prosecution," she said. Judge Azura said this after Gnanaraja informed the court that he was not ready to give evidence because he had stitches on his hand as a result of a robbery case and was still traumatised by the incident. "I cannot testify today until I can ensure my safety is guaranteed," he said. Lim's lawyer, Ramkarpal Singh, objected to the witness raising the robbery matter in court, stressing that it was irrelevant to the corruption trial. "What relevance does that have to today's case? Does the witness want to apply for witness protection? If the witness is unwell, he can request more time, and we can apply for a postponement. "This is a criminal trial, and our client's credibility is at stake," Ramkarpal argued. Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin explained that the witness had been asked to inform the court about his condition, which rendered him unfit to testify for the day. "He is still traumatised for several reasons, and we explained this to the court. We will escalate the matter of his security protection to higher authorities, as this witness is expected to testify several times," said Wan Shaharuddin. The court later allowed an application by lawyer RSN Rayer, also representing Lim, to strike out Gnanaraja's statement about the robbery, which occurred at his home in Jalan Bukit Gasing, Petaling Jaya, last Aug 6. Meanwhile, Ramkarpal informed the court that the defence did not intend to seek the removal of Wan Shaharuddin from the case, as police had confirmed that the robbery was unrelated to the trial. The court then allowed the prosecution's application to postpone the hearing to Aug 27 and 28, when the prosecution's final witness, an MACC investigating officer, is scheduled to testify. 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. For the amended second charge, Lim is accused of soliciting a 10 per cent 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 12.30 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.
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Guan Eng's undersea tunnel trial postponed as key witness unable to testify
Businessman G Gnanaraja said he wished to ensure his safety following the attack by 10 men in an armed robbery earlier this month. KUALA LUMPUR : A witness in Lim Guan Eng's undersea tunnel trial told the sessions court today that he was unable to testify, citing trauma after being attacked by 10 men in an armed robbery earlier this month. Businessman G Gnanaraja said he was still recovering from the incident. 'I am still traumatised. It is not that I don't want to cooperate (with the court), but I want to ensure my safety first,' he said. Trial judge Azura Alwi said it was the duty of the police and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to do everything in their power to ensure Gnanaraja's safety. Deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat then told the court that as Gnanaraja was not mentally fit, they would call investigating officer Zulhilmi Ramli as the next witness. The hearing continues on Aug 27. Lim is standing trial on charges of using his position as then Penang chief minister to ask Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli for a 10% cut of the profits from the undersea tunnel project and accepting a total of RM3.3 million in kickbacks between 2011 and 2017 from the businessman. He is also accused of two counts of dishonestly misappropriating RM208.7 million worth of state land. On Aug 7, Gnanaraja, a key witness in the trial, suffered injuries to his face and hand after being attacked by 10 men at his home. Several valuables were also stolen during the armed robbery.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Judge advises key witness in Lim Guan Eng case to seek MACC protection
KUALA LUMPUR: Sessions Court Judge Azura Alwi advised the key witness in Lim Guan Eng's corruption trial to seek protection through the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission or police rather than the court. She stated that Datuk Seri G. Gnanaraja, the 37th prosecution witness, should address his safety concerns directly with the prosecution instead of raising them during proceedings. 'This is an MACC case, and I believe the MACC has the authority to ensure the safety of its witnesses,' said Judge Azura during Monday's hearing. The judge emphasised that courts lack enforcement mechanisms for witness protection orders, suggesting such requests should go to law enforcement agencies. Gnanaraja informed the court he couldn't testify due to hand injuries from a recent robbery and ongoing trauma from the incident. Lim's defence team objected to discussing the robbery in court, with lawyer Ramkarpal Singh arguing it was irrelevant to the corruption charges. Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin clarified the witness had been instructed to explain his unfit condition to the court. The court granted a defence application to strike Gnanaraja's robbery statement from the record while allowing a prosecution request to adjourn until August 27 and 28. Lim faces charges of allegedly receiving RM3.3 million in bribes linked to Penang's RM6.3 billion undersea tunnel project during his tenure as chief minister. Additional charges involve the improper disposal of state land worth RM208.8 million to a developer connected to the infrastructure project. – Bernama
