Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli said he told the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission that on Aug 28, 2017, he went together with Lim to the home of fellow businessman G Gnanaraja.

He said he told MACC that, on arrival, Gnanaraja invited them in and introduced Lim to his wife, K Geethanjali, and her mother.

He also said that after both women left, the three of them discussed how Lim’s relationship with former prime minister Najib Razak could be “strengthened” through a federal government project.

“Lim said he and the state government will not object to a TUDM (air force) project,” he said, adding that the meeting lasted for about an hour.

Zarul said before they left, Gnanaraja requested for a photo with Lim.

“You did not mention anything (in your statement to MACC) about ‘10%’?” lawyer RSN Rayer, appearing for Lim, asked Zarul, referring to the 10% cut of profits from the project Lim is accused of soliciting.

Zarul replied that his statement, recorded on March 9, 2018 in respect of an investigation into Gnanaraja, made no reference to the alleged “10% cut”.

“I was told to focus on Gnanaraja’s case (during the recording of the statement),” he said.

Lim is standing trial on charges of using his position as then Penang chief minister to ask Zarul 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.

The hearing in the sessions court here before judge Azura Alwi continues on July 19.