KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officer tasked with investigating the Penang undersea tunnel project denied that the probe was “one-sided”.
Zulhilmi Ramli dismissed the suggestion during cross-examination by former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng’s lawyer, Haijan Omar, at the sessions court here today.
The defence contended that MACC never obtained certain documents on the tunnel project from key witness and businessman Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli.
Haijan claimed that Zarul never provided documents to MACC to support his claim on the feasibility studies and detailed design of the tunnel.
“Do you agree that Zarul did not tell you the truth on the feasibility studies and detailed design (of the project)? (That he had) made claims without basis,” he asked.
Zulhilmi disagreed with the lawyer’s contention.
Haijan: So your investigations were one-sided?
Zulhilmi: I disagree.
Co-counsel RSN Rayer questioned the MACC officer on investigations against Zarul, fellow businessman G Gnanaraja as well as the late tycoon Ewe Swee Kheng.
He claimed that earlier investigations into the tunnel project found “no wrongdoing” implicating Lim.
Zulhilmi told the court that MACC subsequently conducted further investigations and took additional statements from them.
“Do you agree that you forced them to blame the accused (Lim)?” Rayer asked.
“I don’t agree,” Zulhilmi said.
Lim is accused of using his position as then chief minister to solicit a 10% share of profits from the undersea tunnel project, as well as obtaining RM3.3 million in bribes from businessman Zarul.
He also faces two charges of dishonestly misappropriating RM208.7 million worth of state land.
The hearing before judge Azura Alwi continues on Aug 7.
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