Ex-Penang DCM P. Ramasamy claims trial to 17 CBT charges involving over RM850,000 in gold, aid payments
SEBERANG PERAI, May 14 — Former Penang deputy chief minister II P.Ramasamy has claimed trial to 17 counts of criminal breach of trust charges at the Sessions Court in Butterworth here.
He was charged with criminal breach of trust involving a total sum of RM859,131.29 in his capacity as the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB) chairman at that time.
Ramasamy was alleged to have misused the property entrusted to him by PHEB to make payments totalling RM779,131.29 through cheques and telegraphic transfers for the purchase of gold for PHEB without the approval of the PHEB board of directors.
This occurred on 13 separate occasions between 2019 and 2023.
He was also charged with criminal breach of trust by making payments totalling RM65,000 between 2020 and 2021 from PHEB to two individuals on different occasions as medical aid without the approval of the PHEB board of directors.
Finally, he was charged with dishonestly making payments totalling RM15,000 to two individuals on different occasions as education aid without the approval of the PHEB board of directors.
Ramasamy was charged under Section 409 of the Penal Code for criminal breach of trust that carries a jail term of not less than two years and not more than 20 years and with whipping.
He shall also be liable to a fine, if convicted.
Shamsher Singh Thind, who represented Ramasamy, asked for a lower bail sum. He said Ramasamy was not a flight risk and had cooperated in full throughout the investigations by MACC.
He said the offence was a non-bailable offence but asked that Ramasamy be allowed bail as he will comply with the bail conditions and surrender his passport to the court.
Sessions court judge Zulhazmi Abdullah allowed total bail of RM78,000 in two sureties for all 17 charges.
He also ordered Ramasamy to surrender his passport and to report to the Malaysia Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) once a month.
Noor Azura Zulkiflee and Nurnanajimatul Idayu Mohd Azuyar prosecuted the case.
Zulhazmi set July 15 for mention of the case.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Malay Mail
DAP demands AG justify ‘no further action' ruling in Teoh Beng Hock case, backs judicial review
KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — DAP today called on Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar to explain in detail his decision to classify Teoh Beng Hock's death as requiring no further action (NFA). In a joint statement issued by DAP national chairman Gobind Singh Deo and secretary-general Loke Siew Fook, the party said the Attorney General must justify why he believes there is insufficient evidence to prosecute anyone for Teoh's death. 'The Attorney General and no one else has the discretion to prosecute under the Constitution. He must explain why he is unable to do so in this case particularly in light of the decisions of the Court of Appeal and civil proceedings in the High Court,' the statement said, as published on the DAP's official Facebook page. On May 21, the Attorney General classified the case as NFA after receiving investigation papers from the police, and on May 30, issued a letter to the family's lawyers stating that there was not enough evidence to support criminal prosecution. The party said it had consistently pushed for accountability since Teoh's death in 2009 and had formed a legal team that initiated an inquest to determine the cause of death. The inquest found bruises on Teoh's neck, but on January 5, 2011, the coroner returned an open verdict. DAP then challenged the finding in the High Court, which upheld the coroner's decision, prompting an appeal to the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal overturned the earlier findings, concluding that Teoh's death was caused by 'an unlawful act or acts of persons unknown, inclusive of MACC officers who were involved in the arrest and investigation of the deceased.' DAP also supported the family in a civil suit that led to a government admission of liability for negligence and a RM600,000 compensation award with RM60,000 in costs. The party argued that both the Court of Appeal and civil court decisions provided grounds for renewed police investigations to identify those responsible. DAP said it supports the family's intention to challenge the NFA decision through a judicial review. 'We support this action and also call upon the Attorney General to review his decision and push ahead with charges against those responsible for Teoh Beng Hock's death without further delay,' the party said.
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
NFA in Teoh Beng Hock case: DAP seeks clarification from A-G
KUALA LUMPUR: DAP has called on Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar to provide a detailed explanation for his decision not to pursue criminal charges in the case involving the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock. In a joint statement issued by DAP national chairman Gobind Singh Deo and secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook, the party expressed disappointment over the Attorney-General's decision to classify the case as "no further action" (NFA), despite previous court rulings that pointed to foul play. "The Attorney-General must explain why he believes there is insufficient evidence to prosecute anyone for Teoh Beng Hock's death, especially in light of the findings of the Court of Appeal and civil proceedings," the statement read. According to DAP, the case was referred to the Attorney-General by police on May 21 and was subsequently classified as NFA. A letter dated May 30 was later sent to the family's legal representatives, stating that the investigations did not uncover sufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution. Teoh, who was a political aide to a Selangor state executive councillor, died in 2009 while in the custody of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). "DAP has been consistently calling for accountability in the case. "The party previously assembled a legal team that initiated an inquest into Teoh's death, which revealed bruising on his neck. "However, the 2011 Coroner's Court returned an open verdict." Subsequent legal challenges saw the Court of Appeal overturn the Coroner's decision, concluding in 2014 that Teoh's death resulted from "an unlawful act or acts of persons unknown, inclusive of MACC officers who were involved in the arrest and investigation." In a related civil suit, the government and MACC admitted liability for negligence, resulting in a RM600,000 settlement to Teoh's family, along with RM60,000 in costs. "These court decisions form a solid basis for further investigation to identify those responsible for Teoh Beng Hock's death. "Whilst the duty to investigate the case and to identify those responsible lies with the police, it is for the Attorney-General to decide his next step based on that investigation," the statement added. The party also voiced its support for the family's reported move to challenge the NFA decision via a judicial review. "We call upon the Attorney-General to reconsider his decision and move forward with pressing charges against those responsible, without further delay."
Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Malay Mail
‘Fine, see you in court': Fahmi Reza calls out authorities over travel ban confusion, says no one taking responsibility; vows legal action
KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — Graphic artist and activist Fahmi Reza has criticised the government over his recent overseas travel ban, saying no authorities have taken responsibility for the incident. In a strongly worded statement posted on Facebook, Fahmi said despite government claims that there was 'no official travel restriction' against him, he was still barred from leaving the country due to what authorities described as a 'confusion during an immigration check'. 'I don't see any government body owning up to the mistake that resulted in the restriction of my freedom of movement,' he said. 'You keep saying there is 'no official ban'. But in reality, I was still blocked and denied my right to travel,' he added. Fahmi questioned the government's accountability, saying he had lost time and money because of the incident, yet no agency had taken the blame. He also pointed out the double standards in how regular citizens are swiftly prosecuted for offences, whereas authorities often escape responsibility. 'This time, it's the people's turn to drag those in power to court,' Fahmi said. He insisted that no government or authority is above the law and that citizens should not be afraid to challenge injustice. 'You always tell me to 'use the right channel', don't you? Fine, see you in court,' he said. The travel issue came to light after Fahmi was reportedly prevented from boarding an international flight yesterday. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had earlier denied the existence of a blacklist order against Fahmi, saying there was no directive from the government to restrict his movement. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain similarly stated that police did not issue any instruction to bar Fahmi from leaving the country and attributed the matter to possible confusion at the immigration checkpoint.
