Judge scolds defence for repeated questions in Lim Guan Eng’s corruption trial

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 — The Sessions Court judge hearing the corruption trial involving former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng today rebuked the defence counsel for repeatedly asking the same questions.

Judge Azura Alwi noted that the questions raised by the defence had already been answered by the former director of Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZCSB), Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli, 65, during previous proceedings challenging the credibility of the witness.

“I’m sitting here. I’ve already gathered all that information. I’m just waiting for submissions from both sides. There’s no need to repeat the questions, especially regarding the businessman, G. Gnanaraja. We’re now in the main trial proceedings, so let’s focus on the charges.

“Lawyer Haijan Omar has already asked extensively about the payments to Gnanaraja. We’ve got the answers, so why keep asking about the Gnanaraja case?” Azura emphasised.

Earlier, Lim’s lawyer RSN Rayer raised questions about Zarul Ahmad’s 2018 media statement, which contradicted his testimony in court.

Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin objected to the questions, arguing they had already been asked during the proceedings challenging Zarul Ahmad’s credibility.

“What’s the point of challenging the witness’s credibility if the same question is asked during the main trial? It’s not about anything else, I don’t want to waste time, and YB Lim Guan Eng has been sitting there in the dock for who knows how long — I’m afraid he might get a slipped disc,” he said.

Rayer then argued that the question was relevant because Zarul Ahmad had revised what he had said in his witness statement.

“In his press statement, the witness said that money was paid to Gnanaraja because of his close ties with the Barisan Nasional government, allegedly to stop the corruption investigation into the witness’s company.