Latest news with #Gnanaraja
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Malay Mail
Police: Robbers took RM300,000 loot from home of witness in Guan Eng corruption trial
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 — Armed robbers took an estimated RM300,000 worth of valuables after breaking into the home of a key witness in the corruption trial involving former finance minister Lim Guan Eng. The robbery took place on Wednesday at a residence along Jalan Bukit Gasing and involved several suspects wielding machetes. Petaling Jaya district police chief Assistant Commissioner Shahrulnizam Ja'afar said investigators are currently reviewing CCTV footage to identify those responsible, Berita Harian reported. He confirmed that police are collecting surveillance recordings from both the victim's home and surrounding areas to assist the investigation. "The victim informed us that the value of the stolen items is at least RM300,000," he told reporters today. Shahrulnizam previously said the incident was a "clear-cut" case of robbery, following suspicions of intimidation due to the victim being a prosecution witness. Despite this, lawyers for Datuk Seri G Gnanaraja have said they will apply for official protection under the witness protection programme. Lim's lawyers previously criticised attempts to link the robbery to Lim's case, calling these baseless and prejudicial. Lim, who is the DAP adviser, is facing multiple corruption charges related to the Penang Undersea Tunnel project at the Sessions Court. He is accused of soliciting a 10 per cent cut of company profits from Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd's director and receiving RM3.3 million, as well as involvement in the disposal of two state land plots linked to the project.
![[UPDATED] Armed robbers steal RM300k worth of valuables from Guan Eng's trial witness](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FARMED_ROBBER_GUAN_ENG_1754637843.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[UPDATED] Armed robbers steal RM300k worth of valuables from Guan Eng's trial witness](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Armed robbers steal RM300k worth of valuables from Guan Eng's trial witness
PETALING JAYA: At least RM300,000 worth of valuables were stolen by armed robbers who broke into the home of a key prosecution witness in Lim Guan Eng's corruption trial. District police chief, Assistant Commissioner Shahrulnizam Ja'afar, confirmed the incident to the New Straits Times today. "Investigators are now in the midst of analysing closed-circuit television footage to identify the suspects involved. "We gathered footage from the house they broke into and from the surrounding area," he said, adding that further investigations were under way. He declined to elaborate on what was taken. "They informed us that the valuables were worth at least RM300,000," he said. Yesterday, the lawyer for the key witness disputed the police's conclusion that his client was the victim of a robbery. Datuk R.T. Rajasekaran said his client, businessman G. Gnanaraja, was attacked by a group of men who threatened him and told him to keep quiet and "not be a hero". He said they were shocked when police described the incident as a clear-cut robbery with no link to witness tampering. Gnanaraja, who was also present at the press conference, said he was told to "be quiet". "I was struck on the mouth. I was bleeding," he said. "They said, 'Don't open your mouth, you understand what I mean?'" He claimed the attackers focused more on issuing threats than on stealing. "This cut to my hand is a warning. Open your mouth again, so you know lah (what will happen)," one of the men allegedly told him. Gnanaraja was reportedly attacked by 10 men who stormed his home near Petaling Jaya on Aug 5. He sustained multiple injuries to his face and hand after the assailants forced their way in. Yesterday, Shahrulnizam said their probe was focused solely on robbery. "I think it is time to stop speculation and allow us to do our work," he said.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Malay Mail
Key witness in Lim Guan Eng's graft trial seeks police protection after machete attack ahead of testimony, wants family protected
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 — Datuk Seri G Gnanaraja, a key prosecution witness in the ongoing corruption trial involving a former chief minister, is set to apply for official protection under the witness protection programme, following injuries sustained in an alleged group robbery. His lawyer, Datuk RT Rajasekaran, said a formal letter will be submitted to the police requesting protection for his client pending a full investigation into the incident. 'The case is still under investigation, and we are concerned that it may be linked to my client's role as a key prosecution witness in the ongoing corruption trial. 'We trust the police will conduct their investigation professionally, and we urge the public to refrain from speculation or drawing premature conclusions until the probe is completed,' he told a press conference today. Meanwhile, Gnanaraja has appealed to the police to extend adequate protection to his family, citing threats made during the attack, which occurred at around 6.30 am when a group of masked individuals armed with machetes broke into his home as he was preparing to leave for work. 'One of them swung a machete towards my mouth and hand, while warning me not to speak out or 'play the hero'. They also fled with several personal belongings,' he said. He received medical treatment at a private hospital, where he required five stitches to his left hand. Gnanaraja said he had recently testified in the corruption trial on July 22 and was scheduled to continue on Aug 19. He also called on the police to ensure a full and impartial investigation into the attack. Police had earlier confirmed that a businessman sustained injuries to his hand and mouth during a group robbery at a residence in Jalan Bukit Gasing, Petaling Jaya, and clarified that the incident was not linked to the ongoing court case. Gnanaraja's wife, Datuk G. Geethajali, said she and her family are now living in fear following the incident and appealed for police protection over concerns for their safety. Geethajali, who witnessed the incident firsthand, recounted that her husband was threatened and slashed with a machete. When asked about items reported missing, Geethajali declined to comment, citing the ongoing police investigation. She also confirmed that she had just completed giving her statement to the authorities. 'A lot happened yesterday, but I'm unable to disclose details at this stage as it may interfere with the investigation,' she told reporters during a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex today. Also present was lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who is acting as a watching brief for the family. Responding to a question on whether the family had experienced similar incidents in the past, Geethajali said only two cases had occurred in their neighbourhood over the past decade, neither of which involved their residence. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Key prosecution witness to apply for protection after assault
G Gnanaraja was reported to have suffered injuries to his face and hand after being attacked by 10 men at his home. PETALING JAYA : A key prosecution witness in former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng's corruption trial will apply for official protection under the witness protection programme after he was attacked by 10 men yesterday. G Gnanaraja's lawyer RT Rajasekaran said a formal letter would be submitted to the police requesting protection pending a full investigation into the incident, Bernama reported. Rajasekaran said he was concerned that the assault might be linked to his client's role as a key prosecution witness in the ongoing corruption trial. 'We trust the police will conduct their investigation professionally, and we urge the public to refrain from speculation or drawing premature conclusions until the probe is completed,' he was quoted as saying. Yesterday, the New Straits Times reported that Gnanaraja suffered injuries to his face and hand after being attacked by 10 men at his home. The assailants were said to have tied up two security guards before entering his house. Separately, Gnanaraja appealed to the police for protection for his family, citing threats made during the 6.30am attack, which saw a group of masked individuals armed with machetes break into his home. 'One of them swung a machete towards my mouth and hand, while warning me not to speak out or 'play the hero'. They also fled with several personal belongings,' he said. Gnanaraja later sought treatment at a private hospital, and required five stitches to his left hand. Gnanaraja's wife, G Geethanjali, said she and her family are now living in fear following the incident and appealed for police protection. When asked about items that had been reported as missing, Geethanjali declined to comment, citing the ongoing police investigation. She also confirmed that she had just completed giving her statement to the authorities. 'A lot happened yesterday, but I'm unable to disclose details at this stage as it may interfere with the investigation,' she told reporters during a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur court complex today. Earlier today, Lim's lawyers criticised recent media reports and prosecutorial remarks that allegedly linked the DAP adviser to the assault on the witness. In a statement, law firm Haijan Omar & Co, acting on behalf of the Bagan MP, condemned what they described as 'premature and misleading' speculation surrounding the incident. They also urged the media to refrain from reporting unverified claims about the assault, warning that such reports risk undermining the judicial process and Lim's presumption of innocence.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Malay Mail
Key witness in Guan Eng's graft trial seeks police protection after machete attack ahead of testimony, wants family protected
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 — Datuk Seri G Gnanaraja, a key prosecution witness in the ongoing corruption trial involving a former chief minister, is set to apply for official protection under the witness protection programme, following injuries sustained in an alleged group robbery. His lawyer, Datuk RT Rajasekaran, said a formal letter will be submitted to the police requesting protection for his client pending a full investigation into the incident. 'The case is still under investigation, and we are concerned that it may be linked to my client's role as a key prosecution witness in the ongoing corruption trial. 'We trust the police will conduct their investigation professionally, and we urge the public to refrain from speculation or drawing premature conclusions until the probe is completed,' he told a press conference today. Meanwhile, Gnanaraja has appealed to the police to extend adequate protection to his family, citing threats made during the attack, which occurred at around 6.30 am when a group of masked individuals armed with machetes broke into his home as he was preparing to leave for work. 'One of them swung a machete towards my mouth and hand, while warning me not to speak out or 'play the hero'. They also fled with several personal belongings,' he said. He received medical treatment at a private hospital, where he required five stitches to his left hand. Gnanaraja said he had recently testified in the corruption trial on July 22 and was scheduled to continue on Aug 19. He also called on the police to ensure a full and impartial investigation into the attack. Police had earlier confirmed that a businessman sustained injuries to his hand and mouth during a group robbery at a residence in Jalan Bukit Gasing, Petaling Jaya, and clarified that the incident was not linked to the ongoing court case. Gnanaraja's wife, Datuk G. Geethajali, said she and her family are now living in fear following the incident and appealed for police protection over concerns for their safety. Geethajali, who witnessed the incident firsthand, recounted that her husband was threatened and slashed with a machete. When asked about items reported missing, Geethajali declined to comment, citing the ongoing police investigation. She also confirmed that she had just completed giving her statement to the authorities. 'A lot happened yesterday, but I'm unable to disclose details at this stage as it may interfere with the investigation,' she told reporters during a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex today. Also present was lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who is acting as a watching brief for the family. Responding to a question on whether the family had experienced similar incidents in the past, Geethajali said only two cases had occurred in their neighbourhood over the past decade, neither of which involved their residence. — Bernama
