Guan Eng Not Involved In Tunnel Project Tender Witness Agrees

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Former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng is on trial on four corruption charges over the RM6 billion undersea tunnel and roads project. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: The Kuala Lumpur sessions court heard today the technical and financial committee for the pre-qualification tender of the undersea tunnel and roads project in Penang did not involve any politicians, including Lim Guan Eng, who was then the chief minister.
Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli, the former director of Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd, said the committee only involved government officers, Bernama reported.
He said this when cross-examined by lawyer Haijan Omar, representing Lim, who is facing four corruption charges involving the construction of the undersea tunnel and roads project.
Zarul, the 23rd prosecution witness, agreed with the lawyer that the committee made decisions based on qualifications, but said he did not know his company had won second place in the pre-qualification.
On Aug 19, 2021, former Penang executive councillor Lim Hock Seng told the court the pre-qualification advertisement was made through the state government website on Nov 11, 2011, and an advertisement was placed in a newspaper on Nov 15.
He said eight companies passed the pre-qualification requirements – China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd & VST Cemerlang Sdn Bhd, Setia Precast Sdn Bhd, ECK Construction Sdn Bhd, Gamuda Bhd, Zambina Wawasan Sdn Bhd, IJM-CRGL Joint Ventures, Consortium Zenith BUCG Juteras & Sri Tinggi JV, and WCT Daewoo Joint Ventures.
According to the first amended charge, Lim, 63, is accused of using his position as then chief minister of Penang to receive RM3.3 million in bribes by assisting Zarul’s company being awarded the undersea tunnel and roads project valued at RM6,341,383,702, between Jan 2011 and August 2017 at the Penang chief minister’s office.
In the second amended charge, Lim is accused of soliciting a 10% share of profits from Zarul as a reward for helping the businessman’s company secure the same project, near The Gardens Hotel at Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, between 12.30am and 2am in March 2011.
Lim also faces two charges of causing the disposal of two plots of Penang government land, valued at RM208.8 million, to a developer linked to the undersea tunnel project.
These offences were allegedly committed at the Penang land and mines office at Komtar on Feb 17, 2015, and March 22, 2017.
The trial before judge Azura Alwi continues tomorrow. - FMT

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