Lawyer Tiara Katrina Fuad wrapped up the cross-examination of Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli, who had been on the witness stand since Dec 17, 2021.

Zarul previously told the court he was shocked that Lim, the former Penang chief minister, had asked him for a “10% cut” in the project sometime in March 2011.

He also claimed he did not want to implicate Lim when the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) questioned him in connection with a money laundering probe.

Today, Zarul disagreed when Tiara suggested that Lim never requested the 10% cut.

Tiara: YB Lim also never received RM3.3 million from you, and what you claimed (in court) was a lie?

Zarul: I do not agree.

Tiara: You were ‘pointing fingers’ at YB Lim because you were pressured by the investigations?

Zarul: I disagree.

The businessman also denied being personally interested in the outcome of Lim’s case.

Tunnel would be difficult to build, court hears

During re-examination by deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, the witness admitted that feasibility studies on the project could not be completed as there were too many obstacles.

“There were many factors like the direction (of vessels) and ports that were not resolved. We did ask for the state government’s agencies to assist and provide opinions,” he added.

Zarul testified that his former company, Consortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd, had told the state government as far back as in 2011 that the tunnel would be difficult to build.

“But they still put it in the proposal (for an open tender),” he said.

The hearing continues before judge Azura Alwi on April 14.

Lim is charged with 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.