He said he had never received such an amount, nor did he possess such money in his bank account or in cash.

“The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) never asked me for proof that such money was found in my account or in cash owned by me,” he said in a press conference at his parliamentary service centre at Kampung Gajah here.

“Where is the money that I allegedly took? It is a baseless charge.”

Lim earlier claimed trial to the charge of abuse of power which allegedly took place between 2011 and 2017.

He was accused of using his position as chief minister to seek gratification of RM3.3 million from Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli to ensure that the RM6.3 billion Penang undersea tunnel and roads project would be awarded to the latter’s company.

The charge under Section 23 (1) of the MACC Act 2009 carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of up to five times the amount of gratification solicited upon conviction.

Last Friday, Lim was also accused of seeking a 10% cut from the profits of the project.

He was alleged to have committed the offence at The Gardens Hotel in Kuala Lumpur in March 2011.