Guan Eng's undersea tunnel trial postponed as key witness unable to testify
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.
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