KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 26): The Sessions Court on Monday postponed former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng’s undersea tunnel graft trial, which was hearing impeachment proceedings against star witness Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli.

Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi allowed the adjournment to Sept 19, as Lim’s lead counsel, Haijan Omar, was not well.

Co-counsel RSN Rayer informed the court that Haijan informed him at 2am that he was not well and was running a fever.

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“The defence asks that Lim’s hearing be deferred to another date, as Haijan is the lead counsel. I believe there is no objection from the prosecution,” the co-counsel said.

Deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin wished Haijan a speedy recovery, and said there was no objection to the adjournment due to health reasons.

The DPP said the matter may proceed at the next date, although the witness was present in court on Monday.

Following that, Azura allowed the adjournment.

Lim, 62, is charged with using his position as the then Penang chief minister to solicit a 10% cut in the RM6.3 billion undersea tunnel project’s profits from Zarul, in return for aiding the businessman’s company to secure the project.

Lim, who is also the DAP chairman and a former finance minister, is also accused of accepting RM3.3 million in kickbacks. A purported RM2 million paid on Aug 18, 2017, to businessman G Gnanaraja is said to be part of the RM3.3 million.

Lim also faces two counts of dishonest misappropriation of property in releasing two plots of state-owned land, cumulatively worth RM208.75 million, to Ewein Zenith Sdn Bhd and Zenith Urban Development - two property companies linked to the controversial undersea tunnel project. 

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