Initial investigations into corruption allegations linked to the RM6.3 billion Penang undersea tunnel and road project found insufficient evidence to charge former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng, according to investigators in early 2020 [1, 2].
MACC senior superintendent Zulhilmi Ramli stated he became aware in early January 2020 of a memo in the case file indicating there was "no case" against Lim Guan Eng. When asked if he agreed a memo existed stating as such, Zulhilmi replied, "Agree." He added, "What I understood was that the investigation had been halted" [2].
Zulhilmi joined the investigation team in June 2020 and received a file containing the memo, which was possibly authored by a senior superintendent named Rosli, although he said, "I am not certain, possibly investigating officer Senior Superintendent Rosli" [2].
Before Zulhilmi joined, the case had been handled by four investigators who had opened and reviewed the investigation papers [1, 2]. Statements were taken from three businessmen linked to the project: Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli, Datuk Seri G. Gnanaraja, and the late Datuk Ewe Swee Kheng [1, 2].
Lim Guan Eng is accused of soliciting RM3.3 million in bribes from Zarul Ahmad’s company to secure the RM6.34 billion Penang undersea tunnel project between 2011 and 2017. He allegedly sought a 10% profit cut on the contract in 2011 [1].
One of the businessmen involved, Datuk Ewe Swee Kheng, died on October 5, 2021, reportedly after falling from a luxury condo in Penang [1].
The investigation timeline shows alleged bribery occurred from 2011 to August 2017, with the no-case memo discovered in early January 2020, and Zulhilmi joining the team in June 2020 [1, 2]. The case remains without charges against Lim as of the latest reports.
