THE Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court was told today that Ewein Zanith Sdn Bhd (EZCB) managing director Ewe Swee Kheng was unafraid and comfortable when the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) recorded his statement over Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng’s corruption case relating to the construction of the undersea tunnel and paired roads in the state.

MACA assistant superintendent Mohamad Hambia, 29, said he received instructions from a superior on July 21, 2020 to record a statement from Ewe, 53, and two recorded statements were taken from the businessman on July 22 and 24, 2020 at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya. 

“The witness was called to the MACC headquarters and arrived at 10.30am. I brought him to the recording room and started recording his statement at 11am,” he said during the examination by deputy public prosecutor Francine Cheryl Rajendram at Lim’s corruption trial today.

“During recording of the statement, I asked the witness if he was comfortable and he replied that he was and we continued recording his statement. I also provided Datuk Ewe food and drink as his statement was taken.”

At the previous proceeding, the 15th prosecution witness, MACC assistant superintendent Muhammad Nazree Mansor, informed the court that Ewe voiced concerns over his safety after revealing information regarding the case.

Meanwhile, Mohamad Hambia, the 27th prosecution witness, said after the statement was recorded, he asked Ewe to read through, write his identity card number and sign the statement to fulfil the conditions under section 30(8) of the MACC Act.

When asked by Francine whether Ewe was given the chance to amend his statement, Mohamad replied, “Yes, but the witness (Ewe) did not amend it but signed it instead.

Ewe, who was supposed to be called as the prosecution’s 15th witness, died after reportedly falling from a luxury condominium in Jalan Kelawei, Penang, on October 5 last year.

However, on December 16, the court allowed Ewe’s recorded statement to be admissible and marked as an exhibit in the corruption trial.

Lim is facing amended charges of using his position as Penang chief minister to accept bribes of RM3.3 million in return for assisting Consortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd, a company owned by Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli, to secure a construction project worth more than  RM6.34 billion at the Penang Chief Minister’s Office, Level 28, Komtar, George Town between January 2011 and August 2017.

On the second amended charge, Lim is accused of soliciting a bribe of 10% of the profit from the company as gratification to secure the project, which he allegedly committed near The Gardens Hotel, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, Kuala Lumpur in March 2011. 

Lim, who is also a former DAP secretary-general, faces another two charges of causing two plots of land worth RM208.8 million, belonging to the Penang government, to be disposed of to two companies linked to the state’s undersea tunnel project.

The two offences were allegedly committed at the Penang Land and Mines Office, Level 21, Komtar, on February 17, 2015 and March 22, 2017.

The trial before judge Azura Alwi continues June 23. – Bernama, June 7, 2022.