Testifying at Lim Guan Eng’s undersea tunnel corruption trial, Akmar Omar denied knowledge of payments purportedly made to Consortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd by Ewein Land Sdn Bhd and Ewein Zenith Sdn Bhd.

The payments were said to have been made between Nov 18, 2013, and March 30, 2015.

Akmar said that the two plots of land in Bandar Tanjong Pinang, known as Lots 702 and 713, originally belonged to the state government but were handed over to Zenith in 2016.

He told the court that under the terms of the titles, Zenith was at liberty to sell the land to any third party or pledge it as collateral for loans.

Akmar also told judge Azura Alwi that the state government did not at any time revoke the land titles issued to Zenith.

“I am not aware if the two plots of land were used as land swap,” said Akmar.

The prosecution claimed that the titles were handed over in lieu of payment for a feasibility study and detailed design for a project involving the construction of three main roads.

The undersea tunnel and roads project was mooted by the Penang government to alleviate traffic on the first bridge and reduce traffic at other congested corridors on the island.

The project also involved the building of three bypass roads – Air Itam to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (5.7km); Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang (10.53km); and Gurney Drive to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (4.1km).

During cross-examination by defence counsel Gobind Singh Deo, Akmar said he first came to know of the state government’s plan to build the tunnel and roads “sometime in 2012 and 2013”.

“I don’t remember the exact date.

“We (the representatives from different state agencies) were asked to attend a briefing about the Penang Transport Master Plan. It (the undersea tunnel and roads project) was suddenly introduced at that time,” said Akmar.

He acknowledged that the project, if implemented, would likely have relieved traffic congestion between the island and mainland.

Lim is standing trial on charges of using his position as then chief minister to ask Consortium Zenith BUCG 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.

The hearing continues on June 20.