A key witness in Lim Guan Eng’s corruption case linked to the RM6.3 billion Penang Undersea Tunnel project claimed that the former was threatened with a money laundering charge and this was one reason why he paid a ‘middle person’ RM19 million to settle the case.

Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZC) senior executive Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli told the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today that businessperson G Gnanaraja conveyed the threat to him via Whatsapp.

In previous proceedings of the graft trial against former Penang chief minister Lim, 23rd prosecution witness Zarul claimed that he roped in Gnanaraja - an alleged close associate of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak - to deliver bribes to the accused.