Consortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd director Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli said this was because Lim was worried that Zarul might be “monitored” by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Zarul said he suggested fellow businessman G Gnanaraja to act as a middleman because of his close links to then prime minister Najib Razak. He said Gnanaraja was also a friend of former minister Nazri Aziz.
“This (Gnanaraja’s involvement) could also help me build a close relationship with the PM so that Barisan Nasional would not ‘disturb’ the undersea tunnel project,” he said.
“After getting YB Lim’s agreement, I called Gnanaraja and informed him about this plan.”
Zarul said he contacted Gnanaraja some time between May and August 2017 to inform him that he needed his assistance to deliver money to Lim.
“At the time, I was in fear of holding a large sum of cash and MACC was keeping a close watch on me.
“I spoke to Gnanaraja about YB Lim’s request that I don’t keep too much cash,” he said, adding that he trusted Gnanaraja.
Lim is on trial on charges of using his position to ask Zarul for a 10% cut of the profits from the RM6.3 billion 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.
‘Lim asked for RM2 million to prepare for GE14’
Zarul also said Lim requested RM2 million from him in August 2017 as he had anticipated that the 14th general election would be called “anytime soon”.
He said the money was delivered through Gnanaraja.
“I asked my staff (Azli Adam) to prepare the RM2 million, and Azli subsequently handed over two sling bags, containing RM1 million each, to me.
“My driver drove me to the Eastin Hotel where I met Gnanaraja and passed him the two bags.”
Zarul said he wanted to introduce Gnanaraja to Lim on the night of Aug 20, 2017. He said he picked Gnanaraja up and brought him to meet Lim at Wenworth Hotel.
“Gnanaraja brought one of the bags I gave him. YB Lim greeted us upon our arrival. I was in the driver’s seat while Gnanaraja was in the backseat.
“We took a drive to Publika from the hotel. They (Lim and Gnanaraja) took a selfie in the backseat.
“I was sure he (Lim) took the bag containing RM1 million with him because he thanked me and tapped my shoulder when he left,” Zarul said.
He said the remaining RM1 million was handed to Lim in the wee hours of Aug 28, 2017 at Gnanaraja’s house in Seksyen 5, Petaling Jaya.
“We went to Gnanaraja’s house and met his family that day. They (Gnanaraja’s family members) were happy to have YB Lim as their guest,” he said.
The court previously heard testimony from Gnanaraja’s wife, actress K Geethanjali, who said Lim and Zarul visited them late at night.
She had said Gnanaraja asked her to return to her bedroom, after the family took pictures with Lim, as he, Lim and Zarul needed to discuss some “confidential matters”.
After today’s proceedings, Lim’s lawyer, Gobind Singh Deo, told reporters the defence would start its cross-examination to challenge Zarul’s testimony next Monday, when the hearing continues before judge Azura Alwi.