Did Zarul Ahmad make payments due to threats from Gnanaraja?

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Zarul Ahmad Confirmed Payments Were Made Following Threats from Gnanaraja

Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli, a senior executive director at Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd, testified in the Sessions Court that he made payments to businessman G. Gnanaraja due to threats received via WhatsApp. These threats specifically mentioned Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) proceedings against Zarul Ahmad, including his name and identification number, and the possibility of being charged. Zarul Ahmad confirmed that these threats were a reason for authorising the payments.
Threats Included AMLA Proceedings and Charges

During cross-examination, Zarul Ahmad confirmed that he received a WhatsApp message from Gnanaraja. When questioned by defence counsel Gobind Singh Deo, Zarul Ahmad stated that the message contained his name and identification number and indicated that he would be charged under AMLA. This specific threat was presented as a direct motivator for the financial transactions.
Payments Linked to Threats

Gobind Singh Deo directly asked Zarul Ahmad if the threats of charges were the reason for making the payments. Zarul Ahmad responded affirmatively, confirming the link between Gnanaraja's threats and the subsequent payments. While Zarul Ahmad later disagreed that it was the sole reason, he did not elaborate on any other contributing factors for the transactions.
Gnanaraja Charged Separately for Cheating

The reference to Gnanaraja's threats comes in the context of a larger corruption trial involving Lim Guan Eng and the Penang undersea tunnel project. Gnanaraja himself has since been charged with cheating Zarul Ahmad out of RM19 million. This amount was allegedly paid in exchange for Gnanaraja using his connections to help settle an investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into Zarul Ahmad's company, the main contractor for the project.

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Did Zarul Ahmad make payments due to threats from Gnanaraja?

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