Sessions Court Judge Azura Alwi takes control of the long-running Penang undersea tunnel trial, aiming to conclude the prosecution’s case by June.
KUALA LUMPUR: Sessions Court Judge Azura Alwi has taken direct control of the corruption trial involving former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng, setting a target to conclude the prosecution’s case by June this year.
Judge Azura announced the timeline after granting an adjournment for the 37th prosecution witness, businessman Datuk Seri G Gnanaraja, who requested to halt his cross-examination due to fever and a severe cough.
“This case has dragged on long enough, so I must take control, and my target is to conclude the prosecution’s case by June at the latest,” said Azura.
The judge granted the adjournment for the day but required Gnanaraja to provide a medical certificate on the next trial date, with proceedings scheduled to resume on April 20 and 21.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin concurred with the judge’s push for an expeditious resolution, stating the prosecution also wants the case concluded quickly.
“Only this witness (Gnanaraja) and the investigating officer remain for cross-examination, and our written submissions are ready with only minor additions remaining,” he said.
Earlier during cross-examination, an unwell Gnanaraja questioned defence counsel Tiara Katrina Fuad’s line of questioning, suggesting she was raising issues already covered.
“I’m unwell with a severe cough and fever, and I thought Ms Tiara would ask new questions, but she kept asking the same things I already explained when Ramkarpal Singh questioned me,” he said.
Defence counsel Ramkarpal Singh then interjected, stating it was time for the court to control proceedings rather than the witness.
Judge Azura clarified that counsel has the right to cross-examine, noting the questions pertained to different recorded statements and were not repetitive.
Lim faces a first amended charge of abusing his position as chief minister to receive a RM3.3 million bribe to assist a company owned by Zarul Ahmad in securing the RM6.34 billion Penang undersea tunnel and major roads project between January 2011 and August 2017.
Under a second amended charge, the Bagan MP is accused of soliciting a 10% cut of Zarul’s profits from the project as payment for helping the company secure it near The Gardens Hotel in March 2011.
The former minister also faces two charges of disposing of state-owned land in Penang, valued at RM208.8 million, to a developer linked to the undersea tunnel project on Feb 17, 2015, and March 22, 2017.