According to Nazree Mansor, Ewe told him on Aug 14 last year that he wanted to offer Lim and his family several apartment units built on former state land.
“However, Ewe did not mention that any of the units were actually given to YB Lim and his family members,” he added.
Nazree testified that Ewe, who died in October last year after falling from his apartment, told the MACC that he met Lim in 2011 and spoke about his intention to develop some land.
According to the witness, the property tycoon had said, “I wanted to repay him for his assistance by giving him a few units (of apartments) or part of the profits from the sale.”
Nazree said Ewe had also alleged that Lim had asked him to “deal” with a contractor so that the contractor could sell the land to Ewe’s company (Ewein Bhd).
Ewe’s statement was tendered in Lim’s trial.
Ewein Zenith, a joint-venture vehicle of Ewein Land Sdn Bhd and Consortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd, launched the RM800 million City of Dreams service apartments in Bandar Tanjong Pinang in 2016.
The land on which the City of Dreams was built is part of the land mentioned in Lim’s corruption case.
Lim is standing trial on charges of using his position as then Penang chief minister to ask Consortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd director Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli for a 10% cut of the profits from the undersea tunnel project and accepting RM3.3 million in kickbacks from the businessman.
He is also accused of two counts of dishonestly misappropriating RM208.7 million worth of state land to two companies.
Continuing his testimony, Nazree said that when MACC recorded Ewe’s last statement on Aug 14 last year, the session was not videotaped.
He explained that Ewe had been called in as a witness and not as a suspect.
“It is not mandatory for us to videotape witnesses. It is only a must when questioning a suspect,” Nazree said.
The hearing continues on April 1 before sessions court judge Azura Alwi.
Lim’s lawyer Gobind Singh Deo said the defence might recall Nazree to the witness stand.
“He has contradicted himself in his testimony. I may require him in further proceedings,” he added.