Judge reminds Guan Eng's lawyer not to repeat question to prosecution witness

The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court reminded Lim Guan Eng's legal team not to raise the same question to a key prosecution witness.

Judge Azura Alwi told counsel RSN Rayer, who acted for the former Penang chief minister, that the cross-examination question against businessperson Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli had already been made in past impeachment proceedings against the witness.

Today was the full trial of Lim's corruption case linked to the RM6.3 billion Penang undersea tunnel project. The project was awarded to Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd.

Previously, the same criminal court heard the accused's impeachment proceedings (attempt to discredit testimony) against the company's former director Zarul, and it will determine the value of the witness's oral evidence at the end of the prosecution's case.

"I am sitting here. I have gathered all of this already. I only wait for you to make submissions (at the end of the prosecution's case). Do not repeat (the present question)," Azura reminded Rayer (above).

Earlier during proceedings, Rayer asked Zarul if there was an alleged discrepancy between the witness' 2018 media statement and his current witness statement in court.

Deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin then objected to the line of questioning, pointing out that it had already been raised in the impeachment hearing.

"Otherwise, it would amount to a waste of time. Lim is sitting there (in the accused's dock) for how long do not know, I am afraid (the accused) might get slip disc," the prosecutor said as Lim looked on.

In July 2018 following the then Pakatan Harapan taking power, Zarul reportedly said his former company received threats from conmen who claimed to have links to the previous administration.

Zarul alleged that he only dared to reveal it following the 14th general election in May 2018.

Today, Rayer compared Zarul's 2018 media statement with a portion of his witness statement, where the former director claimed that a special purpose vehicle was discussed to funnel bribes to Lim.

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.

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

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

He was 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 dishonestly 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.

The trial before Azura is also scheduled for tomorrow.

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