Prosecution considers protection for Guan Eng trial witness after attack
KUALA LUMPUR: Prosecutors in Lim Guan Eng's corruption trial are considering applying for witness protection after a key witness was attacked.
A group of masked men broke into the witness' Petaling Jaya home and assaulted him.
The motive for the attack has not been established, but lead prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin said the team was considering witness protection.
Wan Shaharuddin said the matter would be raised before Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi when the trial resumes on Aug 19.
"Our witness has yet to finish giving his testimony, we will see later," he said when met at the Court Complex in Jalan Duta.
Earlier today, the New Straits Times reported that the witness was attacked by 10 unidentified men who also tied up two security guards before storming the house.
Lim is facing four charges of using his position as the then Penang chief minister to solicit gratification to help a company secure the undersea tunnel project.
He was alleged to have sought 10 per cent of the profit to be made by the company.
He was also accused of receiving RM3.3 million for himself and causing two plots of state government land to be disposed of to two companies linked to the undersea tunnel project.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Judge slams Siti Bainun: 'Even an animal would not inflict such harm'
PUTRAJAYA: A Court of Appeal judge today expressed deep outrage over the injuries inflicted on Down Syndrome teenager Bella, declaring that "even an animal would not inflict such harm," after reviewing graphic images of the abuse she suffered at the hands of Rumah Bonda founder, Siti Bainun Ahd Razali. Judge Datuk Azman Abdullah had requested that the prosecution present the photographs before the three-member bench delivered its unanimous decision to dismiss the 33-year-old's appeal against her conviction and 12-year prison sentence for abusing and neglecting Bella, who is now clinically 18 years old. Azman, sitting with Datuk Azmi Ariffin and Datuk Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz, viewed the photographs displayed on the bench's monitors and explained by deputy public prosecutor Nor Azizah Mohamad. After several minutes of deliberation, Azman, who delivered the judgment, said that Siti Bainun, entrusted with Bella's care, should have shown compassion. "No animal would even think about inflicting injuries as we have just seen. Let this serve as a reminder to the appellant and society that they must respect the law and its consequences. We cannot simply act against someone as we wish, especially someone vulnerable," he said. Siti Bainun, standing in the dock beside a prison warder, appeared composed while her family members observed from the public gallery. She maintained a stoic expression, occasionally staring at the courtroom floor, and was immediately escorted out of the dock after proceedings, waving goodbye to her family. She is serving her sentence at Kajang Women's Prison. Several activists who had championed Bella's cause were also present in court. Azman said that the injuries sustained by Bella, who was 13 at the time, were corroborated by eyewitness accounts, medical officers, and specialists. He said that the injuries were non-accidental, not self-inflicted, and occurred over multiple incidents rather than a single event. Medical reports and photographs revealed serious injuries, including burn marks on her underarms and old wounds on her head, face, back, stomach, and thighs. "Bella was under the appellant's care through a magistrate's court order from Sept 24, 2020 until she turns 18. On the clash of evidence regarding SP5 as raised by the defence, it was immaterial and did not affect the prosecution's case. SP5 remained a credible and trusted witness with no ulterior motives, acting only on the appellant's instructions," he said. Deputy public prosecutor Nor Azizah Mohamad described the charges as serious, urging the court to maintain the sentence imposed by the Sessions Court, which she said was proportionate. "Bella is a disabled girl who was abused and neglected by someone entrusted with her care. The injuries are severe, and while the wounds may heal, the trauma and scars will remain for life. Disabled children should be protected, yet Bella suffered at the hands of her caregiver," she said. In response, defence lawyer Mohd Haijan Omar argued that Siti Bainun, convicted on May 3, 2023, had already served over two years in prison. He requested that the court consider her status as a first-time offender and the alleged severity of the injuries in seeking a reduction of her sentence. Earlier, the panel dismissed Siti Bainun's application to present new evidence, citing a lack of exceptional circumstances and failure to meet the required legal threshold. On May 2 last year, then Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Datuk Noorin Badaruddin (now a Court of Appeal judge) upheld the Sessions Court's decision by Judge Izralizam Sanusi, which sentenced Siti Bainun to 12 years' imprisonment for the abuse and neglect of Bella.
Borneo Post
13 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Couple charged with submitting false claims
KOTA KINABALU (Aug 14): A husband and wife were charged at a Sessions Court here with submitting false claims involving the supply of machinery and certification under the Small and Medium Industry (SMI) Assistance Programme. The couple aged 54 and 57 pleaded not guilty to all their separate and joint charges before judge Jason Juga today. On the first count, they were accused of abetting a company manager in submitting a set of documents containing false particulars, namely claims for MeSTI and Halal certification services in the food industry for entrepreneurs under the Sabah SMI Assistance Programme (BAIKS) 2022, including renovation works when in fact the alleged services were never carried out. The alleged offence was committed at a department's office here on November 11, 2022. On the second count, they were alleged to have committed a similar offence by submitting a set of documents containing false particulars, namely claims for MeSTI, My Food Tag and Halal certification under BAIKS 2023, including renovation works which allegedly was never carried out. This alleged offence was committed at the same department on November 2, 2023. As for their joint charge, the couple is accused of submitting an invoice from another company dated Nov 7, 2023, along with 13 supporting delivery order documents containing false particulars. These involved claims for the supply of 11 units of 100-litre machine retorts, two units of 150-litre machine retorts, registration and approval from the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), hydrostatic tests by DOSH, and premises registration for 13 units which were never carried out. The alleged offence was committed at the same department on November 10, 2023. The court set September 23 for pre-trial of the cases management. For the first and second charges, the court set bail at RM20,000 with a RM3,000 deposit and one local surety each. For their joint charge, the accused were released on RM20,000 bail with a RM3,000 deposit and one local surety. The court had imposed additional conditions for the couple, including to report themselves to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission office every two months, to surrender their passports, if any, and not to contact the prosecution's witnesses. The couple was represented by counsel Azhier Farhan Arisin.
The Sun
14 hours ago
- The Sun
Law student denies fire mischief, elderly woman's death in Segamat
SEGAMAT: A private university law student has claimed trial to five counts of mischief by fire and a charge linked to the death of an elderly woman. Chew Hong Joe, 21, entered his plea before Sessions Court Judge Rahimah Abd Majid. He is accused of using petrol to damage five houses in Jalan Francis Khoo, Kampung Bukit Siput, at 4 am on July 25. The charges fall under Section 436 of the Penal Code, punishable by up to 20 years' jail or a fine. Chew also faces a charge under Section 304(b) for causing the death of 72-year-old Tan Ah Gek in the same incident. If convicted, this offence carries a maximum 10-year jail term, a fine, or both. Deputy public prosecutor Siti Khalijah Khalid led the prosecution, while Harcharanjit Singh represented the accused. In a separate hearing at the Magistrate's Court, Chew denied two counts of criminal intimidation. The charges involved posting notices on a house fence and a place of worship in Taman Ria, Segamat. Magistrate A. Dhilip Nair presided over the case, with bail set at RM8,000 for all charges. Reports indicate the fire was allegedly set by a couple linked to a Singapore-based loan shark. - Bernama
