Guan Eng's 'friend' promised land for feasibility studies: Witness

A “friend” of then-Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng promised land as part payment for feasibility studies into the island state’s RM6.3 billion undersea tunnel project, the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court heard.

Consortium Zenith Construction director Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli claimed the promise was given by the late businessperson Ewe Swee Kheng in 2013.

The key prosecution witness in the project-linked graft trial against Lim alleged that Ewe promised land to the witness’s company, which handled the ambitious project.

Zarul (above) claimed that in return, he would ensure four feasibility studies would be conducted on the project.

The businessperson claimed a mutual friend introduced him and Ewe in 2013.

“At that time, my company had financial problems after a large shareholder withdrew. I had to find a source (of funding) for the (undersea) tunnel’s feasibility studies.

“Ewe said he had met Lim (earlier) and Lim assured me that my company (Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd) would be granted (the ownership of) Lot 702.

“He (Ewe) promised to fund me (for the feasibility studies) and knew that I would receive Lot 702,” Zarul told trial judge Azura Alwi.

Zarul claimed Ewe had said Lim expressed hope that he (Ewe) would assist the witness in the matter.

Zarul was testifying during today’s impeachment hearing, whereby Lim’s lawyers attempted to discredit the witness’s credibility.

The Bagan MP is on trial in a corruption case linked to the project.

Ewe, who was the founder of Ewein Berhad, fell to his death from his condominium unit at Jalan Kelawei, Penang, on Oct 5, 2021.

Zarul today testified that his company received RM79.8 million between November 2013 and December 2015 for the feasibility study.

He also explained to deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin about a preliminary agreement between the witness's company and the Penang state government.

The witness claimed that the agreement’s terms were that his company would be entitled to Lot 702 and 713 after completing all four feasibility studies.

Wan Shaharuddin: Has the ownership of both lands been transferred to you?

Zarul: Yes, but only part of Lot 713 was transferred.

Wan Shaharuddin: But you have not completed the feasibility studies?

Zarul: Yes (in agreeing that the studies were not complete).

The impeachment hearing resumes on Aug 26.

Four charges

Lim is on trial over four corruption charges involving the planned construction of Penang’s undersea tunnel and paired roads project connecting the island to the mainland.

He is accused of abusing his power as then-Penang chief minister for the first charge to obtain RM3.3 million in monetary gratification as an inducement to appoint Zarul’s company to implement the project worth RM6,341,383,702.

He allegedly committed the offence between January 2011 and August 2017 at the Penang Chief Minister’s Office.

On the second charge, Lim allegedly asked Zarul for 10 percent of profits as a reward for helping his company secure the project.

He is purported to have committed the offence at The Gardens Hotel, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, in Kuala Lumpur, between 12.30am and 2am in March 2011.

He also faces two counts of dishonest disposing of two plots of land belonging to the Penang government in Bandar Tanjong Pinang worth RM208 million to the developer of the tunnel project, which allegedly took place at the State Land and Mines Office in Komtar on Feb 17, 2015, and March 22, 2017.

Witness against Guan Eng: I slept on MACC lockup cement floor

Undersea tunnel: Guan Eng submits representation to drop graft charges

I didn't tell MACC Guan Eng sought 10pct future profit: Witness

Court retains graft, money laundering charges against Guan Eng, wife

I did not disclose Guan Eng's name to MACC in 2018: Tunnel project witness

Guan Eng trial: 'RM17m given to businessperson to close MACC probe'