Malaysian businessman, M. G. Gnanaraja, has pleaded not guilty after the three counts of cheating charged against him in the Sessions Court in connection to the RM19 million (US$4.6 million) graft in the Penang Undersea Tunnel Project two years ago. 

The businessman has been alleged to have deceived the managing director of Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd  into believing that he (Gnanaraja)  was able to close an investigation initiated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) against him (victim) for an offense under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

The act prompted the managing director to hand over to him (Gnanaraja) cash in the amount of RM4 million (US$970,000) and another RM15 million (US$3.6 million) through a Maybank account belonging to Visione Construction Sdn Bhd to a CIMB Bank account belonging to Bumi Muhibbah Capital Holding Sdn Bhd.

If would guilty, Gnanaraja will be sentenced to 10-years imprisonment. The court date is set for May 6.

Consortium Zenith Construction is the main contractor for the Penang Undersea Tunnel Project.