"don’t try to be a hero” - That was the chilling message sent to a key witness of the Lim Guan Eng trial after he was assaulted .
In the latest twist in the ongoing "Tunnel Gate" trial involving former Finance Minister and Chief Minister of Penang, Lim Guan Eng, a key prosecution witness who would have testified against Lim, was attacked by 10 men in his home.
The shocking incident occurred on Wednesday morning at the witness's residence near Petaling Jaya. According to The New Straits Times, the attackers first tied up two security guards stationed at the property before entering the house and assaulting the witness. He sustained injuries to his face and hand.
More worryingly, a source told the media that the attackers warned the victim: “Just stay at home and don’t try to be a hero.” The incident is widely viewed as an attempt to intimidate the witness ahead of the trial's next phase.
Petaling Jaya district police chief, ACP Shahrulnizam Ja’afar, confirmed the attack and said that a team from the district’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was dispatched to the scene. Investigations are ongoing.
Lead prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, who is spearheading the case against Lim, told reporters that the prosecution will raise the matter when the trial resumes on August 19. “We are treating this incident with the seriousness it deserves,” he said.
Lim Guan Eng is currently facing multiple corruption charges related to the RM6.3 billion Penang undersea tunnel project, including:
- Soliciting a 10% share of profits from a businessman involved in the project while serving as Chief Minister,
- Receiving RM3.3 million in alleged kickbacks, and
Two counts of dishonestly misappropriating RM208.7 million worth of state land.
The undersea tunnel project was originally pitched as part of Penang’s infrastructure development initiative, intended to connect the island to the mainland.
Wednesday's violent assault has intensified public scrutiny on the safety of prosecution witnesses in high-profile corruption cases, especially those involving political figures. While no official motive has been confirmed, the circumstances of the attack have raised alarm bells about potential witness intimidation.
The trial is being closely watched as a barometer of Malaysia’s efforts to combat corruption and uphold judicial independence, especially amid ongoing political realignments at the national level.
With the trial set to continue in less than two weeks, the authorities now face growing pressure to ensure that all witnesses are protected and that the proceedings can continue without external interference.
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