Ramasamy to be charged with graft tomorrow, says lawyer
A senior MACC source previously said former Penang deputy chief minister II P Ramasamy was being investigated over alleged irregularities involving procurement by the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB), which he had overseen.
GEORGE TOWN : Former Penang deputy chief minister II P Ramasamy is set to be charged with abuse of power tomorrow, according to his lawyer.
Shamsher Singh Thind said the 76-year-old would be brought by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to the sessions court in Butterworth to face charges under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009.
The provision covers public officers who abuse their positions to gain benefits for themselves or others. If found guilty, the offence carries up to 20 years in prison and a fine of at least five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Shamsher added that MACC had not disclosed the details of the charge. However, in December, a senior MACC source told FMT that Ramasamy was being investigated over alleged irregularities involving procurement by the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB), which he had overseen.
Ramasamy denied the allegations, saying that PHEB's finances were audited and approved during his tenure.
'We urge everyone to allow the legal process to proceed and avoid speculation,' Shamsher said.
The probe into the 2019 purchase of a gold-plated chariot for RM800,000 followed a complaint that PHEB had overpaid for substandard work.
Ramasamy, who chaired PHEB from 2010 to 2023, insisted that it was always gold-plated, not solid gold. He also said the deal went through open tender, board approvals, and auditor-general oversight.
'To say it was made of substandard material is misleading. It was gold-plated, which naturally involves the use of other metals,' he said.
Calling the case political persecution, Ramasamy claimed his critics were trying to tarnish his name. 'If there's a money trail to my account, prove it,' he said.
Last August, Bernama reported that current PHEB chairman RSN Rayer had submitted PHEB's findings from an internal forensic audit to MACC. Rayer claimed that the audit had uncovered several red flags, but did not elaborate on them.
On Dec 4 last year, Ramasamy was barred from leaving the country. He later gave a statement at MACC's office.
MACC chief Azam Baki confirmed the probe last year but declined further comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
EAIC finds weaknesses in customs declaration process
The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission recommended improvements for the customs department to enhance oversight and ensure stricter compliance with the Customs Standing Orders. (Facebook pic) PUTRAJAYA : The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has identified weaknesses in the approval process for customs declaration forms to clear imported goods. In a statement today, the EAIC said its investigation also found that some importers and customs agents had made declarations without adhering to the provisions in the Customs Standing Orders. 'The EAIC received complaints against the customs department, alleging a failure to revoke the licences of importers and agents who violated the Customs Standing Orders. Investigations were conducted under Subsection 27(4) of the EAIC Act 2009,' the statement said. As a result, the EAIC has recommended improvements for the customs department to enhance oversight and ensure stricter compliance with the Customs Standing Orders by importers and customs agents. The commission also urged the customs department to take firm action against any party found to be in breach of these regulations.
Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
By-election not worth time or money, says Tengku Zafrul
Tengku Zafrul Aziz denied having discussions for a by-election to pave the way for him to become Selangor menteri besar. PETALING JAYA : Tengku Zafrul Aziz has dismissed speculation of an impending by-election in Selangor to pave the way for him to become menteri besar. Tengku Zafrul, who is investment, trade and industry minister, said no such discussions for a by-election had taken place and it was never a factor in his decision to quit Umno. 'I do not support triggering by-elections without urgent necessity as they incur time and public funds,' he said in a statement. Tengku Zafrul announced his decision to resign as an Umno member, as well as from all party posts, on May 30. He also expressed his intention to join PKR. Tengku Zafrul today said he would continue carrying out his responsibilities until the end of this year. 'As for my position as a minister, I leave this entirely to the discretion of the prime minister. I remain ready to serve the nation in any capacity.' He also reaffirmed that his decision to leave Umno was entirely his own and made without coercion. 'In a democratic society, every individual has the right to make personal choices. I deeply appreciate all the feedback and acceptance extended to me in response to this decision,' Tengku Zafrul said. There has been much speculation over his fate as minister as his final term as senator expires at the end of the year. Also, there is talk of a Cabinet reshuffle following the resignation of Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad from their respective ministerial posts. In a Facebook video previously, former Umno leader Isham Jalil claimed that Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari would be ordered to vacate his Sungai Tua seat to allow Tengku Zafrul to contest in the by-election. Winning the by-election could then allow Tengku Zafrul to take over as menteri besar, as speculated previously, while Amirudin could join Anwar's Cabinet as he is also the Gombak MP at present. Amirudin has also denied speculation that he is set to vacate his state seat to make way for Tengku Zafrul, describing it as just empty talk based on the 'wild imagination' of certain individuals who were seeking to spread that narrative via social media. The PKR vice-president also said he did not want to see a repeat of the 'Kajang Move' in 2014, which culminated in the late Abdul Khalid Ibrahim resigning as the then Selangor menteri besar. FMT quoted political analyst James Chin as saying that any move to get Amirudin to vacate his seat to make way for Tengku Zafrul would damage PKR's image in the eyes of voters and grassroots members.
Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
At times, stability trumps wanting to always win, says Sabah Umno No 2
Sabah Umno deputy chief Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who is said to be keen on rebuilding ties with GRS, has clashed with state Umno chairman Bung Moktar Radin several times now. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Sabah Umno deputy chief Abdul Rahman Dahlan has made a cryptic post on 'stability' and 'wanting to always be the victor' amid speculation over the party's alliances for the upcoming Sabah election. 'There are times when stability is far more important than wanting to be seen as the victor in every clash. Choose the right approach to confrontations,' the former Kota Belud MP said in a Facebook post. Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) have announced a pact for the state election, while talks were said to be ongoing to rope Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) into the alliance. However, last week, Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin said the state chapter will not work with GRS for the polls. He added that any possible cooperation will only be considered after the outcome of the state election. GRS chairman Hajiji Noor, who is also Sabah chief minister, said the ruling state coalition has yet to decide on its alliances for the election. Last month, Hajiji said the existing alliance between GRS and PH, both of which form the state government, should be continued in the state election. Bung and his Sabah Umno deputy have clashed several times in the past few years, with Rahman said to be keen on rebuilding ties between his party and GRS. While Sabah Umno and GRS used to be allies in the state government, Bung led his party in retracting support for Hajiji as chief minister in January 2023. Sabah PH then gave Hajiji its backing to allow him to stay on as chief minister.
