KUALA LUMPUR: A key witness in the corruption trial of the Penang undersea tunnel project testified that he had to “get things done” for the then chief minister Lim Guan Eng.
Businessman G. Gnanaraja told the Sessions Court that Lim had requested the setting up of a company, Bumi Muhibah Capital Holding Sdn Bhd, and a bank account to receive the bribe payment for the project.
During cross-examination by counsel Ramkarpal Singh, Gnanaraja confirmed Lim’s request that was stated in his earlier statement used in another case in the Shah Alam court.
“Yes, I said I would talk to him when he came to my house,” he said, adding that Lim had visited his residence to gain personal insight of the company’s documentation processes.
However, Gnanaraja agreed that Bumi Muhibah had been established a year before their meeting.
When questioned about the company’s purpose, Gnanaraja denied that it was set up as a vehicle for fraud.
“I don’t agree with the word fraud here,” he said, adding that he did not see his actions as fraudulent or corrupt.
Ramkarpal further pressed Gnanaraja on why he had allowed Bumi Muhibah to be used for alleged wrongdoings.
“Technically, that’s your interpretation.
“For me, at that point in time, I was serving the chief minister, so I had to get it done for him,” he said, adding that he felt obliged to follow Lim’s instructions.
During rigorous questioning, Gnanaraja also admitted that he had been declared a bankrupt since Dec 12 last year for fees owed to his lawyers in the Shah Alam case.
He acknowledged that he was represented by at least four lawyers, but “had no idea what was going to happen”.
Despite being acquitted in the case, Gnanaraja said there was a breakdown in his relationship with his lawyers.
“I did not pay them their fees,” he said, adding that the lawyers subsequently sued him for RM5.3mil in unpaid fees.
Gnanaraja also denied fabricating his testimony or lying in court.
Ramkarpal: You’ve come to court asking the court to believe you – that Lim, whom you don’t really know, was going to engage you for corrupt practices, and you claim to have made him believe you would set up a company and prepare an account.
Gnanaraja: Yes
Ramkarpal: I put it to you that these are all lies, as Lim could not have asked you to open an account in Bumi Muhibah because a bank account had already been opened at that time.
Gnanaraja: I do not agree.
Ramkarpal: You’re a liar, that’s what you have been doing on several statements in this court.
Gnanaraja: I disagree.
Lim, 64, is facing an amended charge of using his position as then Penang chief minister to solicit RM3.3mil in bribes as an inducement to assist Zarul Ahmad in securing the undersea tunnel project worth RM6.34bil.
Lim allegedly committed the offence at the Penang Chief Minister’s Office, Level 28, Komtar, George Town, between January 2011 and August 2017.
In the second amended charge, Lim is accused of soliciting a 10% profit from the company as gratification to secure the project.
The offence was allegedly committed near The Gardens Hotel, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City here, in March 2011.
Lim, who is Bagan MP, faces two further charges of causing two plots of land worth RM208.8mil, belonging to the Penang government, to be disposed off to two companies linked to the project.
The trial before judge Azura Alwi continues on Oct 14.
