Penang developer linked to undersea tunnel case falls to his death

A prominent developer believed to be a key prosecution witness in the Penang undersea tunnel graft case fell to his death at a condominium in Pulau Tikus early today.

Chinese daily Sin Chew reported that Ewe Swee Kheng fell from the 17th floor of a luxury apartment at 2am, and that his body landed in the swimming pool.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) meanwhile confirmed that Ewe had been a prosecution witness and said it had been informed of his death.

Ewe was the managing director of Penang-based property developer Ewein Bhd.

He was arrested by MACC in 2018 as part of the investigation into the undersea tunnel project.

Ewein said at the time that neither it nor its subsidiaries were involved in the project.

In the trial which is ongoing at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng faces four charges of soliciting bribes and abuse of power in relation to the construction of an undersea tunnel and paired roads worth RM6.3 billion.

Once complete, the 7.2km tunnel would be the first undersea road link in the country, connecting Butterworth in the mainland to George Town on the island. The construction is a joint undertaking between the state government and Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd.