FORMER Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was granted permission by the Sessions Court today to strike out eight sentences and words from the witness statement of an investigating officer in his corruption case linked to the Penang undersea tunnel and major roads project.
Judge Azura Alwi delivered the decision after considering Lim’s application, in which he had originally sought the removal of 23 sentences and words from the statement of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Senior Investigation Officer Zulhilmi Ramli.
Lim, who is Bagan Member of Parliament, argued that Zulhilmi’s testimony was biased and that the disputed portions represented only the officer’s personal opinions rather than factual evidence.
Judge Azura ruled that only part of the witness statement would be amended.
“The court has heard, examined, and considered all submissions and legal authorities presented by both parties. Accordingly, the court is satisfied and decides that only some of the sentences and words in the witness statement shall be struck out. The remaining paragraphs are to be retained,” she said.
Among the phrases ordered removed were: “and found Datuk Zarul’s statement not to be a mere fabrication” (paragraph 4); “and this is more of a land scam” (paragraph 6); “wayang” (paragraph 44); “wrongfully” (paragraph 57); “a tool in the accused’s agenda” (paragraph 74); “clearly illogical” (paragraph 79); “this transaction makes no sense” (paragraph 85); and “if the accused were transparent, he should have declared BUCG ineligible to tender, as BUCG had informational advantages over other bidders” (paragraph 104).
During an earlier hearing, Zulhilmi testified that Lim had allegedly assured the late businessman Datuk Ewe Swee Kheng that his company, Ewein Zenith Sdn Bhd (EZSB), would receive a plot of land known as Lot 702 in Bandar Tanjung Pinang for development.
He told the court that, following this assurance, Ewe had financially supported Consortium Zenith Beijing Urban Construction Group Sdn Bhd (CZBUCG) since 2013, even though Lot 702 was only transferred to CZBUCG in 2015.
Based on an initial agreement signed between the Penang state government and CZBUCG chairman Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli on 6 October 2013, CZBUCG was to collaborate with EZSB in developing the land.
Lim, 64, is accused, in his capacity as Chief Minister at the time, of using his position to solicit and receive RM3.3 million in gratification from Zarul Ahmad to assist his company in securing the RM6.34 billion Penang Major Roads and Undersea Tunnel Project between January 2011 and August 2017.
Under a second amended charge, he is alleged to have requested a 10 per cent cut of the profits expected from Zarul Ahmad as a reward for helping the businessman’s company win the project.
The alleged offence took place near The Gardens Hotel, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, between 12.30am and 2am in March 2011.
Lim also faces two further charges of disposing of two parcels of state-owned land worth RM208.8 million to developers linked to the tunnel project. The alleged offences took place at the Penang Land and Mines Office, Komtar, on 17 February 2015 and 22 March 2017. - November 12, 2025
