Zulhilmi Halim from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said he recorded statements from businessmen Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli and G Gnanaraja between 2019 and 2020.
“Zarul told us that he gave four bags totalling RM4 million to Gnanaraja while Gnanaraja said he received the four bags from Zarul.
“Both said RM2 million was paid to the accused person (Lim),” he added.
Zulhilmi said that Lim had, in 2020, denied knowing Zarul and receiving money from him.
The officer said his investigations showed that a total of RM3.3 million was paid in cash by Zarul to Lim, in tranches for several years.
Zulhilmi added that several witnesses such as former staff member Azli Adam and Ibrahim Sahari (both Zarul’s former staff) supported Zarul’s testimony as regards the withdrawal of cash.
Deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin then asked Zulhilmi whether there was a money trail pointing to Lim as the recipient of the money.
“There were public comments that there was no ‘money trail’ in this case,” he added.
Zulhilmi confirmed there was no money trail in this case, but said it did not affect his probe.
“It would be unwise for the accused to deposit money into his account,” he said.
Defence may recall 37 witnesses
Earlier today, the court allowed the prosecution’s bid to amend one of Lim’s graft charges, which claims he received the RM3.3 million from Zarul between January 2011 and August 2017.
Lim affirmed his not guilty plea.
Lawyer Ramkarpal Singh told the court that he wanted to seek Lim’s instructions on whether to recall witnesses who testified in the past.
“We also just received his (Lim’s) MACC statement this morning. To us, it is an exculpatory statement.
“We might want to cross-examine Zulhilmi and other witnesses on this,” he said.
Judge Azura Alwi allowed the defence to reserve its cross-examination on Zulhilmi.
The hearing continues on May 14.
Lim is accused of using his position as then 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.