KUALA LUMPUR – The sessions court here was today told that WhatsApp conversations between Penang undersea tunnel project contractor Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli and businessman G. Gnanaraja bore no indication that they were out to set Lim Guan Eng up.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission forensics technology division investigating officer Wan Mohd Firdaus Wan Yusof, 33, said an analysis of the messages on Gnanaraja’s mobile phone did not reveal signs of animosity between the duo – Gnanaraja and Zarul Ahmad – and the former Penang chief minister.
He said this during examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin in Lim’s corruption trial.
The eighth prosecution witness earlier read out WhatsApp messages dated August 18, 2017, including one sent by Zarul Ahmad to Gnanaraja, stating “Superb sir, I’ll bring your chocolate. Eastin?”, to which Gnanaraja replied, “Ok Dato”.
Wan Shaharuddin: In that message, did they (Zarul Ahmad and Gnanaraja) say they intended to pay Lim?
Wan Firdaus: No.
Wan Shaharuddin: There was only the word “chocolate”?
Wan Firdaus: Yes, correct.
The court also heard the chronology of a meeting between Lim, Zarul Ahmad and Gnanaraja at Gnanaraja’s residence at 2am on August 29, 2017, before Gnanaraja asked Zarul Ahmad to take several photos of him with Lim.
When cross-examined by lawyer Gobind Singh Deo, representing Lim, the witness said the communications between Gnanaraja and Zarul Ahmad showed that they were good friends.
Gobind then asked the witness to read the messages Gnanaraja sent to Zarul Ahmad.
Wan Firdaus read out the conversation, starting with Gnanaraja’s message “I love you Dato. You are constantly on my mind. I will finish off anyone who disturbs you, Dato”, to which Zarul Ahmad said, “I’m so grateful sir. I will make you a star that shines bright in the cabinet”.
Gobind: Did you know that Gnanaraja was charged in court with cheating Zarul Ahmad?
Wan Firdaus: I am not sure.
Lim faces four charges over the undersea tunnel and paired roads project worth RM6.3 billion.
According to the first amended charge, he is accused of using his position as the then Penang chief minister to obtain a RM3.3 million bribe as an inducement to assist Zarul Ahmad’s company secure the project.
Lim allegedly committed the offence at the Penang chief minister’s office at Komtar between January 2011 and August 2017.
For the second amended charge, he is accused of soliciting bribes of 10% in profits from the firm as gratification to secure the project.
The offence was allegedly committed near The Gardens Hotel in Kuala Lumpur between 12.30am and 2am in March 2011.
The DAP secretary-general faces another two counts of causing two plots of land worth RM208.8 million and belonging to the Penang government to be disposed of to two firms linked to the tunnel project.
The offences were allegedly committed at the Penang Land and Mines Office at Komtar on February 17, 2015 and March 22, 2017.
The trial before judge Azura Alwi will resume on November 1. – Bernama, September 24, 2021
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