KUALA LUMPUR – Police have clarified that the violent attack on a key prosecution witness in Lim Guan Eng’s corruption trial was a robbery, not an attempt to tamper with the case.
Petaling Jaya district chief Assistant Commissioner Shahrulnizam Ja’afar confirmed that 10 assailants had stormed the victim’s home earlier today.
“It is a clear-cut robbery. No witness tampering was involved,” Shahrulnizam said, as quoted by the New Straits Times.
The group, armed with machetes and wearing masks, broke into the residence along Jalan Bukit Gasing, looting valuables from a safe before fleeing into a nearby secondary jungle.
The incident has been classified as an armed gang robbery under Section 395/397 of the Penal Code.
Investigations are ongoing, and some of the stolen items have already been recovered.
The estimated losses are still under investigation, and authorities have launched a manhunt for the suspects.
The victim, who sustained injuries to his face and hands, was reportedly warned by the attackers to stay at home and not act as a “hero.” According to sources, the assailants tied up two security guards before entering the house.
The attack comes amid ongoing proceedings in the high-profile corruption trial related to the Penang undersea tunnel project, in which Lim is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for securing contracts for a developer linked to the project.
Datuk Wan Shahruddin Wan Ladin, the lead prosecutor in the case, has said the prosecution will raise the matter during the next trial session on August 19.
Lim, who is facing multiple corruption charges, allegedly used his position as Penang Chief Minister to request a 10% commission from contractor Zarul Ahmad in return for facilitating the latter’s company’s involvement in the project.
Additionally, Lim is accused of causing state-owned land, valued at RM208.8 million, to be disposed of to a developer associated with the undersea tunnel project.
Police are urging anyone with information about the robbery to contact the Petaling Jaya police control room at 03-7966 2222 or Assistant Superintendent Fandhi Fatullah Abu Bakar at 014-630 3090. – August 6, 2025