Latest news with #Penang
Malay Mail
14 minutes ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Guan Eng told me to set up firm to move bribes, key witness businessman Gnanaraja tells court
KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 — The key prosecution witness in the Penang undersea tunnel corruption trial involving Lim Guan Eng told the Sessions Court today that his vehicle company was used as a conduit for bribery payments to the former chief minister. Businessman G. Gnanaraja, 44, testified that Lim had instructed him to set up a company, Bumi Muhibah Capital Holding Sdn Bhd, and open a bank account for it. The company was incorporated on Aug 10, 2016, and in August 2017, he used it to facilitate bribe payments to Lim. 'All instructions to establish the company and open the account were given by Lim while we were in a car en route to Publika on Aug 20, 2017. The company held a CIMB Bank account at the CIMB KLCC branch. 'I had full access to the account as I was the sole authorised individual to withdraw funds,' he said while reading his witness statement during the trial involving the Penang road and undersea tunnel project. The 37th prosecution witness added that he became acquainted with Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli, then Director of Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZCSB), around May 2017. Between Aug 10 and 19, 2017, they communicated regarding Gnanaraja acting as the intermediary between Zarul Ahmad and Lim. Gnanaraja testified that Datuk Zarul selected him as an intermediary to deliver cash to Lim based on trust and the fact that he was not affiliated with any opposition party at the time. He further stated that during a meeting at Hotel Impiana in Ipoh on Aug 18, 2017, he and Zarul discussed a sum of RM2 million that Zarul intended to hand over to Lim. 'Later that day, around 5 pm, while I was at home, Datuk Zarul called and asked to meet him at Eastin Hotel, Petaling Jaya at 6 pm. Upon arrival, Datuk Zarul exited his vehicle, retrieved two dark-coloured bags and placed them in the boot of my car. 'I understood the bags contained cash as Datuk Zarul said '1M' while placing the first bag and '1M' again with the second. By '1M', I understood him to mean one million ringgit,' he said. Gnanaraja added that upon returning home, he opened both bags and found they contained bundles of RM100 banknotes. 'I did not count the bundles of cash. I confirm that both bags remained in my study and were not moved until I received a call from Datuk Zarul on Aug 20, 2017,' he said. Gnanaraja said, on that morning, he received a phone call from Zarul Ahmad instructing him to prepare one of the bags containing RM1 million and proceed to the vicinity of Hotel Wen Worth in Pudu to pick up Lim. 'When we reached there, Lim, dressed in the official white chief minister's attire bearing the Penang state crest, entered Datuk Zarul's car. I was wearing a batik shirt. 'Lim greeted us and exchanged pleasantries with both of us. He informed me that he had initially intended to arrange a meeting between me and an individual named Datuk Ewein, but chose instead to speak with me directly to discuss confidential financial matters intended for his benefit,' Gnanaraja testified. 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 resumes on Aug 19. — Bernama
South China Morning Post
16 minutes ago
- South China Morning Post
Chinese tourists seek hidden gems in Penang, drawn by durians and food
Tourists from China are showing greater interest in off-the-beaten-path experiences in Malaysia 's Penang state compared to the usual attractions. Advertisement They are often spotted at local food haunts and wet markets that Penangites frequent every day instead of the heritage enclave. Penang Tourist Guides Association chairman Clement Liang said repeat travellers from China often avoid busy tourist areas within the George Town Unesco World Heritage site. 'They have seen the main attractions, like the murals, British colonial and Peranakan architecture. 'Now, they want to explore quieter places. We take them to Pulau Tikus, Teluk Bahang on Penang island and even Seberang Perai.' Advertisement Liang said Pulau Tikus has become increasingly popular for its food and temples, with many tourists arriving with lists of food stalls and attractions to explore.
Malay Mail
44 minutes ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
CapitaLand wins double honours at CSR Malaysia Awards 2025 for community care efforts
KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 — CapitaLand has clinched two top honours at the Sustainability & CSR Malaysia Awards 2025, receiving the 'Company of the Year' award in the shopping mall category and the 'Long-Standing Excellence' award for its #GivingBersama 4.0 initiative. This marks the third consecutive year CapitaLand has received the Company of the Year title, in recognition of its continued efforts to uplift communities across Malaysia. In 2024, the company was also acknowledged for its support of underprivileged children. The awards, organised annually, celebrate outstanding organisations that demonstrate long-term commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR). As part of CapitaLand's global #GivingAsOne campaign, the #GivingBersama 4.0 initiative provided aid to beneficiaries from orphanage homes, schools, and low-income families in Penang, Klang Valley, Pahang and Johor. With support from CapitaLand Hope Foundation (CHF)—the group's philanthropic arm—the campaign contributed RM200,000 worth of daily necessities and school essentials to more than 2,600 individuals. Between October 23 and December 20, 2024, over 180 CapitaLand staff volunteers dedicated more than 1,400 hours to community service. The programme reached nearly 800 underserved children from 21 homes and more than 1,800 individuals from 600 low-income families. Beneficiaries were identified in collaboration with Unit Mutiara Food Bank in Penang and the Social Welfare Department in Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan and Johor. A highlight of this year's campaign was the introduction of a shopping mall-style bazaar experience, held at community halls nationwide, where beneficiaries could select their own essential items—making the experience more personal and engaging. 'We are truly honoured to receive this esteemed accolade for the third year in a row, especially as CapitaLand celebrates its 25th anniversary this year,' said Selina Ng, Managing Director, Retail, CapitaLand Investment (Malaysia). 'The awards affirm our ongoing efforts to create a positive and lasting impact in the communities where we operate.' Ng said the group believes building resilient communities goes beyond financial contributions. 'Through our #GivingBersama initiative, we are heartened by the strong and sustained support from our employees, tenants, business partners and the wider community,' she added. 'Since 2011, with the support of CHF, we have reached over 16,100 beneficiaries and contributed more than RM2.6 million in community initiatives.' Held annually in September and October, CapitaLand's #GivingAsOne campaign mobilises staff, tenants, business partners and customers to uplift vulnerable groups. In 2024, over 8,900 volunteers across 17 countries clocked more than 46,000 hours, benefiting over 13,000 people globally. CapitaLand's footprint in Malaysia spans residential, retail, lodging, logistics and business parks. Its retail network includes seven malls: Melawati Mall in Taman Melawati and six under CapitaLand Malaysia Trust—3 Damansara, East Coast Mall, Gurney Plaza, Queensbay Mall, The Mines and Sungei Wang Plaza. The group also operates Nusajaya Tech Park in Iskandar Puteri, Johor. For more information on the #GivingBersama 4.0 initiative, visit CapitaLand's official website or social media platforms.
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Penang CM: RM100 aid welcome, but Malaysia needs long-term fixes for rising cost of living
GEORGE TOWN, July 23 — Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the federal government should come up with long-term solutions to the rising cost of living. He welcomed the RM100 one-off aid announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today in a post on his Facebook page. 'It is a helpful gesture during tough times, but I believe Malaysians hope for long-term solutions to the rising cost of living,' he wrote. He said he knows the government faced financial constraints currently. 'However, we need policies that create jobs and support businesses,' he said. He also urged everyone to give Anwar time and space to manage current economic challenges effectively. Earlier today, Anwar announced a one-off RM100 cash handout to all Malaysians above the age of 18 in conjunction with National Day celebrations. The aid will be channelled through MyKad under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah programme. The aid can be used between August 31 and December 31 to purchase basic goods at more than 4,100 stores including supermarkets and grocery stores. It is expected to benefit 22 million people.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Guan Eng told me to set up account for payments, businessman tells court
G Gnanaraja told the sessions court he met businessman Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli in May 2017 to discuss setting up a company to facilitate intended payments to Lim Guan Eng. KUALA LUMPUR : A businessman told Lim Guan Eng's corruption trial that the former Penang chief minister instructed him to open a bank account eight years ago to facilitate payments in relation to the undersea tunnel project. G Gnanaraja said he utilised Bumi Muhibah Sdn Bhd to pay bribes to Lim sometime in August 2017. He said the company maintained a CIMB bank account ending in 783, to which he had full access. 'YB Lim and I spoke about this when we were travelling in a car,' said Gnanaraja. Gnanaraja said he met with fellow businessman Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli in May that year to discuss setting up a company for Zarul to facilitate payments to Lim. 'Zarul wanted me to be the 'middleman', to hand over money to me, as I was not involved with opposition parties (at the time),' he said, adding that Zarul subsequently introduced him to Lim. First 'middleman' task Gnanaraja told the court that he acted as a 'middleman' for the first time on Aug 20, 2017, when he was instructed to pass RM1 million to Lim. 'Zarul gave me two bags (containing RM1 million each) at Eastin Hotel a few days earlier. He put them in my car and left,' he said. Gnanaraja then went home and put the bags in his study room. 'I checked both bags and saw that they contained RM100 notes. I also locked my study room so that no one would enter,' he said. The businessman said Zarul contacted him on Aug 20, 2017, asking him to bring one of the bags. 'Zarul said that we were picking up YB Lim from Hotel Wenworth to go to Publika,' Gnanaraja said. The hearing before judge Azura Alwi was adjourned to Aug 19 after Gnanaraja told the court he was unwell. Lim is accused of using his position as Penang chief minister to solicit a 10% share of profits from the undersea tunnel project and receiving RM3.3 million in bribes from Zarul. He also faces two charges of dishonestly misappropriating RM208.7 million worth of state land.
