Urimai's Ramasamy faces MACC charge tied to Penang temple chariot, welfare aid via Hindu board
PENANG, May 13 – Former Penang deputy chief minister II P. Ramasamy is expected to be charged at the Butterworth Sessions Court tomorrow under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.
According to a statement from his party Urimai, Ramasamy was summoned to the MACC headquarters in Penang yesterday, where he was informed of the impending charge.
'We believe the charges are linked to the procurement of the Golden Chariot in 2017 and welfare assistance distributed to the public through the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB).
'These matters have repeatedly been used by detractors to discredit Ramasamy since 2017 and were long ago brought to the attention of the MACC,' Urimai secretary Satees Muniandy said.
Section 23(1) handles the offence of using one's office or position for gratification.
Satees also alleged that there was a political motivation behind the decision to proceed with the charges.
'Urimai and Ramasamy remain committed to challenging this regime with greater resolve than ever before,' he said.
Malay Mail is seeking a response from the MACC over the accusation.
Urimai was founded in November 2023 by Ramasamy who was a former Penang deputy chief minister II.
He had been with the DAP since 2005 but quit in 2023 after being dropped as a candidate in the state elections in August that year.
Urimai had previously attempted to join Perikatan Nasional, and has been vocal with its criticism agains the Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim-led government.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
44 minutes ago
- Borneo Post
Opposition vital to democracy, says Irene Wong in response to SUPP criticism
Irene Wong SIBU (June 8): A strong and effective opposition is indispensable in any democratic system of government, said Irene Wong, special assistant to Sibu MP Oscar Ling. She emphasised that the opposition plays a vital role in monitoring the government, checking its power, proposing alternatives, and voicing the concerns of the people. 'It is precisely because of the opposition that the people's interests are not neglected and the government's power can be kept in check,' she added. Wong was referring to the recent statement from Sarawak United Peoples' Party's (SUPP) accusing the Democratic Action Party (DAP) of committing the so-called 'Four Major Sins,' for voicing out against the government. 'Monitoring the government and raising questions is not an act of sabotage, but a way to improve governance,' she said. She stressed that as the largest opposition party in Sarawak, DAP has the responsibility to scrutinise government policies and ensure that the distribution of public resources is fair and transparent. 'The opposition raises questions to ensure that the pursuit of autonomy is not merely rhetorical but delivers real benefits to the people.' She also referred to a recent issue raised in the Sarawak State Assembly regarding the Sarawak government's RM100 million travel expenses for which a clear explanation has yet to be provided. 'Who exactly is this money spent on, where did it go, what was it used for, and how many people were involved in the trips?' Wong asked. 'The people have a right to know the details of such a massive expenditure.' At the same time, basic infrastructure development in rural areas remains slow, she said, adding some areas even experienced low water pressure during festive periods, indicating an imbalance in resource allocation. 'If the government is clean and accountable, why fear public questions? If SUPP truly serves the people, it should welcome oversight rather than smear those who ask questions.' checks and balances dap Irene Wong lead opposition
Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
‘Tan Sri' in highway probe discharged, to be quizzed by MACC
MACC chief Azam Baki said anti-corruption officers would seek to set a date for taking the Tan Sri's statement. PETALING JAYA : A corporate figure at the centre of a corruption probe into the alleged misappropriation of sukuk funds for a Klang Valley highway project will be summoned soon by graft busters. Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Azam Baki said the 'Tan Sri' was discharged from hospital today after undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness. 'I have been made to understand that the doctors have just allowed him to be discharged. My officers will be in touch with him as soon as possible to set a date to take his statement,' he said, according to Astro Awani. Azam added that the Tan Sri was the main suspect in the probe, while other witnesses were still giving their statements. He previously said that hundreds of millions in sukuk funds were suspected to have been channelled to a company owned by the corporate figure, and later misused for personal interests rather than the intended highway project. The funds were allegedly transferred to multiple entities, including proxy companies and the personal account of the Tan Sri's wife, and used to acquire real estate, luxury vehicles and goods, as well as fund gambling activities. MACC has seized individual bank accounts totalling RM4.5 million, eight company accounts totalling RM33 million, a luxury condominium and a plot of land valued at RM24.5 million, as well as nine vehicles valued at RM7.6 million in its probe. The anti-graft agency had also seized luxury watches valued at about RM25 million, designer handbags valued at RM3 million, jewellery and diamonds worth RM6 million, four horses valued at RM400,000, and premium alcoholic beverages worth RM3 million.
Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
PAS eyes support of ‘critical' non-Malays disgruntled with govt
PAS vice-president Amar Abdullah said that although some PH supporters may have become disappointed with the party, they still disliked PAS over its perceived hardline Malay-Muslim stance. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Non-Malay voters disgruntled with the Pakatan Harapan-led government are the target of PAS, the largest opposition party in the Dewan Rakyat, as it prepares for the next general election. PAS vice-president Amar Abdullah acknowledged that Malay-Muslim parties have struggled to gain the support of non-Malays. However, it was apparent that voters who make up PH's core support have become increasingly critical of the government led by PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim, Amar said in an interview with Malaysiakini. 'The question now is how PAS can attract them to our side,' Amar was quoted as saying. The challenge was to find more convincing ways to win over the non-Malays ahead of the general election, which is due by February 2028. While some PH supporters may have become disappointed with the coalition's inability to execute various reforms it had promised, he admitted that they still disliked PAS due to its perceived hardline Malay-Muslim stance. 'This is what we're currently thinking about: how to win their support,' he said, adding that the Islamic party must preserve its clean image to retain young voters. Amar also took a swipe at its Perikatan Nasional partner Gerakan for making statements that have 'harmed and undermined' PAS. He urged Gerakan, the only multiracial party in the opposition coalition, to exercise control in making public statements, adding that PAS keeps an eye on such matters. 'I have to be honest here, because occasionally their remarks have backfired. They need to be careful and exercise control, because we're part of the same coalition. There must be give and take,' he said. Gerakan has 'much to improve' in attracting Chinese voters, who have been largely supporting DAP, and Gerakan's machinery and groundwork needed improvement, while the party's image itself needed to be rebuilt, he said. In November last year, Gerakan president Dominic Lau urged PAS to declare that it will not interfere with the rights of other communities, in order to ease the concerns of non-Malays and boost their support for PN. However, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man shot down the proposal, saying Gerakan should not blame the Islamic party for its failure to muster support from the Chinese community.
