PETALING JAYA: A key prosecution witness in a corruption trial involving former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng was attacked and robbed by a group of masked and armed men, who had broken into his home in Jalan Bukit Gasing here.

It is learnt that the victim sustained various injuries to his face and hands.

Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Shahrulnizam Ja’afar confirmed the incident, saying the police were alerted at about 7.20am yesterday.

“A group of masked men, armed with machetes, broke into the victim’s house. They stole valuables which were kept in a safe,” he said, adding that the assailants escaped into a jungle area behind the house.

The case is being investigated under Section 395/397 of the Penal Code for armed gang robbery.

“We urge those with information to contact investigating officer Asst Supt Fandhi Fatullah Abu Bakar at 014-630 3090 or the nearest police station.”

ACP Shahrulnizam said initial investigations revealed that the incident had no connection with the ongoing court case.

He said the witness and three others were assaulted in the incident.

“The first victim (the witness) suffered wounds to his face and hands while two security guards were punched in the face.

“The fourth victim, a personal driver, was punched in the face and there were signs that his hands were tied up using cables.”

Meanwhile, deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin said the witness was threatened.

“He was told not to speak too much and to stay home,” the DPP said when contacted.

Lim, 64, is facing an amended charge of using his position as then Penang chief minister to solicit RM3.3mil in bribes as an inducement to assist Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli in securing the undersea tunnel project worth RM6.34bil.

Lim allegedly committed the offence at the Penang Chief Minister’s Office, Level 28, Komtar, George Town, between January 2011 and August 2017.

In the second amended charge, Lim is accused of soliciting a 10% profit from the company as gratification to secure the project.

The offence was allegedly committed near The Gardens Hotel, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City here in March 2011.

Lim, who is Bagan MP, faces two further charges of causing two plots of land worth RM208.8mil, belonging to the Penang government, to be disposed of to two companies linked to the project.

The trial before judge Azura Alwi continues on Aug 19.