KUALA LUMPUR: The corruption trial of former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng regarding the Penang undersea tunnel project had to be adjourned as his lead counsel is unwell.

Defence lawyer RSN Rayer requested the postponement after informing judge Azura Alwi that the lead defence counsel, Haijan Omar, was unwell.

“He has been down with a fever since 2am.

“I ask the court to adjourn today’s trial, which is the continuation of the impeachment proceeding,” said Rayer, who also apologised for Haijan’s absence.

Lim was seen at the accused dock, while Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd executive director Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli, the key prosecution witness, was at the witness stand.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin wished Haijan a speedy recovery, saying it was a valid request.

“The reason is valid and we should adjourn. The prosecution has no objection,” he said.

The trial yesterday was supposed to go on with the impeachment proceeding into Zarul Ahmad’s conflicting statements with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission for this trial and in a previous cheating case in Shah Alam involving businessman G. Gnanaraja.

Azura allowed the request and set Sept 19 and 20 to continue the trial.

Lim, 63, is facing an amended charge of using his position as then Penang chief minister to solicit RM3.3mil in bribes as an inducement to assist Zarul Ahmad in securing the undersea tunnel project worth RM6,341,383,702.

Lim allegedly committed the offence at the Penang Chief Minister’s Office, Level 28, Komtar, George Town, between January 2011 and August 2017.

In the second amended charge, Lim is accused of soliciting a bribe of 10% of the profit from the company as gratification to secure the project.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/27/guan-eng-trial-postponed-after-lawyer-falls-ill