According to Free Malaysia Today (FMT), MACC investigating officer Zulhilmi Ramli told the sessions court that the RM6.3 billion Penang undersea tunnel project was “a land scam”.
Assigned to the probe in June 2020, Zulhilmi said investigations focused on abuse of power, corruption and dishonest misappropriation of property involving Lim Guan Eng.
“The project was just a way to deceive the public, and it is more of a land scam,” he said.
He said statements were taken from then Penang exco members, Consortium Zenith Sdn Bhd staff and other witnesses, identifying businessman Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli as a key figure.
He added that then exco member Lim Hock Seng told investigators “YB Lim asked him to call Zarul after an exco meeting on Jan 26, 2011,” and that Zarul claimed Lim had asked for a 10% cut in the project, to which he agreed.
Zulhilmi insisted the probe was not biased and that conclusions were drawn from all witness testimonies.
Lim is charged with soliciting a 10% share of profits and receiving RM3.3 million from Zarul in relation to the project, and also faces two counts of dishonestly misappropriating RM208.7 million worth of state land.
The hearing will resume on Oct 15 before Judge Azura Alwi.
