A property tycoon known for a major development project in Penang has been found dead.

The 53-year-old businessperson was believed to have fallen to his death from his condominium unit in Pulau Tikus, George Town.

George Town district police chief Soffian Santong was quoted by The Star as confirming the incident.

He added that the cops will be issuing a statement on the matter.

The businessperson's project was raised during the former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng's undersea tunnel trial in July.

The defence had protested the prosecution's attempt to raise the project, maintaining that it was not relevant to the charges against Lim.

The businessperson was supposed to be a witness in the case.

Meanwhile, Oriental Daily reported that the man's body have been brought to the Penang General Hospital for an autopsy.