A key prosecution witness in former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng’s corruption trial will apply for official protection under the witness protection programme after he was attacked by 10 men yesterday.
G Gnanaraja’s lawyer RT Rajasekaran said a formal letter would be submitted to the police requesting protection pending a full investigation into the incident, Bernama reported.
Rajasekaran said he was concerned that the assault might be linked to his client’s role as a key prosecution witness in the ongoing corruption trial.
“We trust the police will conduct their investigation professionally, and we urge the public to refrain from speculation or drawing premature conclusions until the probe is completed,” he was quoted as saying.
Yesterday, the New Straits Times reported that Gnanaraja suffered injuries to his face and hand after being attacked by 10 men at his home.
The assailants were said to have tied up two security guards before entering his house.
Separately, Gnanaraja appealed to the police for protection for his family, citing threats made during the 6.30am attack, which saw a group of masked individuals armed with machetes break into his home.
“One of them swung a machete towards my mouth and hand, while warning me not to speak out or ‘play the hero’. They also fled with several personal belongings,” he said.
Gnanaraja later sought treatment at a private hospital, and required five stitches to his left hand.
Gnanaraja’s wife, G Geethanjali, said she and her family are now living in fear following the incident and appealed for police protection.
When asked about items that had been reported as missing, Geethanjali declined to comment, citing the ongoing police investigation. She also confirmed that she had just completed giving her statement to the authorities.
“A lot happened yesterday, but I’m unable to disclose details at this stage as it may interfere with the investigation,” she told reporters during a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur court complex today.
Earlier today, Lim’s lawyers criticised recent media reports and prosecutorial remarks that allegedly linked the DAP adviser to the assault on the witness.
In a statement, law firm Haijan Omar & Co, acting on behalf of the Bagan MP, condemned what they described as “premature and misleading” speculation surrounding the incident.
They also urged the media to refrain from reporting unverified claims about the assault, warning that such reports risk undermining the judicial process and Lim’s presumption of innocence.
