Guan Eng a ‘seriously damaged good (politician)’?

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Guan Eng a ‘seriously damaged good (politician)’?

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27, 2025: Former DAP secretary-general, now adviser, is now a “seriously damaged good (politician)” (so to speak) in his ongoing RM2 million tunnel graft case.

Businessman G Gnanaraja testified in a Sessions Court here today that he paid Lim RM2 million over the tunnel project in August 2017.

No News Is Bad News reproduces below the former Finance Minister’s court proceedings today:

I paid Guan Eng RM2mil cash over tunnel project, witness tells court

Ho Kit Yen

Businessman G Gnanaraja says the payments were made in August 2017.

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)

KUALA LUMPUR: A businessman told the sessions court in Lim Guan Eng’s undersea tunnel project corruption trial that he paid the then Penang chief minister RM2 million in cash eight years ago.

G Gnanaraja said he handed RM1 million to Lim on Aug 18, 2017 in Mont Kiara here.

He said a second payment was made when Lim visited his home 11 days later.

 G Gnanaraja.

According to Gnanaraja, Lim arrived at his house in the early hours of Aug 29, in a car driven by businessman Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli.

Gnanaraja said the purpose of the visit was to discuss “setting up a company and a bank account” to handle matters relating to the undersea tunnel project.

“Datuk Zarul asked for this company to be used to pay YB Lim,” he said, referring to Bumi Muhibah Capital Holding Sdn Bhd.

“YB also said that he needed someone he could trust in managing funds that would be channelled to him, and I would be a suitable person as I was not a member of any political party,” said Gnanaraja.

The businessman told the court that Lim wanted the bank account opened to receive about RM30 million, and that the funds would come via Zarul.

“YB Lim also said that Datuk Zarul agreed to his request for a 10% share from the undersea tunnel project.”

According to Gnanaraja, the discussion between the three men went on for one hour.

The court previously heard that Lim had posed for photographs with members of Gnanaraja’s family during the visit.

At the end of the meeting, the witness said he retrieved a bag containing RM1 million from his car and handed it to Lim as he was leaving.

The hearing continues before judge Azura Alwi.

Lim is accused of using his position as then Penang chief minister to solicit a 10% share of profits from the undersea tunnel project and receiving RM3.3 million in bribes from Zarul.

He also faces two charges of dishonestly misappropriating RM208.7 million worth of state land.

Malaysia

Guan Eng allegedly received RM2 million in black bags, court hears

Businessman claims delivery of two bags containing RM1 million each from CZCSB director to former Penang CM amid tunnel project graft trial

Updated 7 seconds ago · Published on 27 Aug 2025 5:34PM

On the night of 28 August 2017, Gnanaraja retrieved another RM1 million bag from his office and placed it in a black Bentley - August 27, 2025

A KEY prosecution witness in the ongoing seatunnel corruption case involving former Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng told the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today that he personally handed over two black bags containing a total of RM2 million to the former minister.

The witness, Datuk Seri G Gnanaraja, said he received two black bags—each holding RM1 million—from Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli, then director of Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZCSB), during a meeting at Hotel Eastin Petaling Jaya on 18 August 2017. He stored the bags in his office before delivering one to Lim Guan Eng at Publika, Hartamas, on 20 August 2017.

“After I received two black bags with RM1 million each, I stored them in my office. I took one out on 20 August 2017 to hand over to Lim while driving him to Publika. Guan Eng took the bag and then patted Zarul Ahmad on the shoulder, whom he thanked for the RM1 million bag,” Gnanaraja recounted during his testimony.

He added that on the night of 28 August 2017, in response to a text from Zarul Ahmad, he retrieved the other RM1 million bag from his office and placed it in his black Bentley. In the early hours of 29 August, Lim Guan Eng reportedly visited his home to receive the bag.

“Guan Eng came to my house around two to three in the morning, I handed him the bag after retrieving it from my car’s boot. He received it with his right hand, smiling, placed it onto his lap and then left with Zarul Ahmad seated alongside in the vehicle. I do not know their subsequent destination,” he testified.

Gnanaraja revealed that prior to handing over the second bag, he, Lim, and Zarul Ahmad engaged in a confidential discussion at his home concerning the tunnel project's financial arrangements—including Guan Eng’s claim to a 10 per cent cut from the estimated RM6.3 billion contract.

“In my understanding, the tunnel project's value is estimated at RM6.3 billion. Guan Eng mentioned that 10 per cent of the project profits—amounting to that sum—was intended for himself. He also said Zarul Ahmad agreed to this request,” Gnanaraja added.

Lim Guan Eng, 64, faces multiple amended charges alleging that, as Chief Minister, he abused his position to procure illicit gains. These include receiving RM3.3 million to assist CZCSB’s appointment for the major infrastructure project and soliciting a 10 per cent kickback. Additional charges involve the disposal of Penang state land valued at RM208.8 million.

The trial before Judge Azura Alwi is set to resume tomorrow. - August 27, 2025