KUALA LUMPUR — After more than five years of proceedings and calling 38 witnesses, the prosecution today closed its case in the RM6.3 billion undersea tunnel and major roads project corruption trial involving former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, who led the prosecution team, informed Sessions Court Judge Azura Alwi that the prosecution was closing its case after its 38th witness, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters senior superintendent Zulhilmi Ramli, who was also the investigating officer, concluded his testimony.

“Alhamdulillah, first of all, we would like to record our appreciation to your honour for patiently hearing this case for over five years. I hereby close the prosecution’s case and offer Penang Mayor Datuk Rajendran P. Anthony to the defence should they be called to enter their defence,” he said.

Azura then ordered both the prosecution and defence to file their written submissions by January 13, and fixed January 26 and 27 next year to hear oral submissions.

The trial commenced on July 13, 2021. Among the key witnesses called were former Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd director Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli, former Penang state executive councillor Datuk Lim Hock Seng, former Penang state secretary Datuk Seri Farizan Darus, former tourism and culture minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, and businessman Datuk Seri G. Gnanaraja.

The trial drew significant attention following several notable developments, including the death of former Ewein Bhd group managing director Datuk Ewe Swee Kheng, who was found dead after reportedly falling from a luxury condominium unit in Jalan Kelawei, Penang, at 5.37am on October 5, 2021.

Ewe, 53, was the 15th prosecution witness scheduled to testify in the trial.

On December 16, 2021, the court allowed Ewe’s recorded statement to be admitted as evidence in Lim’s trial.