Latest news with #P Ramasamy
Free Malaysia Today
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Urimai slams MIPP for undermining opposition unity with criticism of Ramasamy
Urimai secretary M Satees today said MIPP deputy president S Subramaniam had made a baseless accusation when he reportedly labelled Urimai chairman P Ramasamy an 'opportunist' and claimed he lacked credibility among Malaysian Indians. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Urimai has slammed MIPP deputy president S Subramaniam for what it described as an 'uncalled-for and unprovoked attack' on its chairman, P Ramasamy. In a statement, Urimai secretary M Satees questioned the motive behind the criticism and said Subramaniam had made a baseless accusation when he reportedly labelled Ramasamy an 'opportunist' and claimed he lacked credibility among Malaysian Indians. He questioned what prompted the remarks and asked whether Subramaniam or MIPP felt uneasy about Urimai taking the lead in consolidating Indian support against the government. 'What does Subramaniam stand to gain by attacking a fellow opposition-friendly party like Urimai? 'Ramasamy is not just the chairman of Urimai. He is a respected national figure and a key leader within the Indian community. 'Subramaniam must not forget who he is trying to discredit.' In his statement, Satees said Urimai had consistently maintained an opposition-aligned position and shown 'unwavering solidarity' with the opposition over the past year, adding that Ramasamy had also repeatedly reminded party members not to attack friendly parties. Satees also noted that Selangor Urimai's recent remarks on the Turun Anwar rally last Saturday were meant to highlight the need for Perikatan Nasional – which MIPP is a component party of – to project a more inclusive image for the Indian community and did not single out any party. 'The interpretation by the media was their own and not a direct reflection of Urimai's intention,' he said. Stating that such continued 'unprovoked attacks' would be met with 'similar firmness', Satees urged MIPP's leadership and the PN coalition to rein in Subramaniam and focus on unity. 'I urge all Indian-based opposition parties to channel their energy towards the real adversaries of the Indian community — the Madani leaders — and to put an end to these unnecessary public quarrels.'
Free Malaysia Today
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Bersatu's proposed ‘United Opposition Front' likely to fail, says analyst
Bersatu's Supreme Council has authorised party president Muhyiddin Yassin to lead efforts to establish the United Opposition Front. PETALING JAYA : Bersatu's proposal for a 'United Opposition Front' is likely to fall flat, according to an analyst. Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said the proposal aims to unite Bersatu and other Perikatan Nasional (PN) components with all parties and groups opposed to the current government. 'But these small parties and groups are not significant enough to attract more votes to help the opposition topple the government. 'That is why I think it won't make much of a difference even if PN can get all the parties outside the current government to team up with it,' he told FMT. Azmi said parties such as Muda and Pejuang and the various other splinter groups were so small that their inclusion in the United Opposition Front would make little to no difference. Muda holds only two seats, both in Johor – the Muar parliamentary seat and the Puteri Wangsa state seat. Pejuang, meanwhile, fared poorly at the 15th general election (GE15), and failed to secure any parliamentary or state seat, with all its candidates losing their deposits. Other possible allies would include Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra), led by Ibrahim Ali, which also lost in GE15, and Urimai, whose application to register as a political party was rejected by the Registrar of Societies (RoS). Urimai, led by former Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy, is challenging that decision in ongoing judicial review proceedings. Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) contested the Ayer Kuning by-election in April but its candidate, KS Bawani, lost to Barisan Nasional's Yusri Bakir in a three-cornered fight for the Perak state seat. In June, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad sought to rally the Malays under a single broad-based movement, ostensibly to 'restore Malay power' in government. The big-tent alliance has brought together PAS, Bersatu and other Malay-centric forces. Mahathir also said Umno members were welcome in their personal capacity. At its Supreme Council meeting on Tuesday, Bersatu authorised party president Muhyiddin Yassin to spearhead efforts to build ties with parties outside the government bloc to form a united opposition front. The party's secretary-general Azmin Ali said the initiative would entail discussions aimed at forging a unified position on issues concerning the rakyat's interests. The proposal is expected to be discussed at a PN Supreme Council meeting scheduled for this weekend. Yesterday evening, Muhyiddin met with leaders from political parties outside the government bloc, including Pejuang president Mukhriz Mahathir, acting Muda president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz, Urimai chairman P Ramasamy and PSM deputy chairman S Arutchelvan. Non-Malay voters unconvinced Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman's Chin Yee Mun believes Bersatu's proposal is part of a strategic plan to reassert PN's position in the political landscape. 'The Malay unity slogan has lost its lustre and recently Muhyiddin has expressed his intention to make PN more approachable to non-Muslim voters. 'If so, it is a well-thought after decision, particularly when the unity government's recent policies and actions have raised some concerns among Malaysians, such as issues with the expansion of the sales and service tax (SST), rising cost of living, and appointment of senior judges,' he said. As to whether it will work, he said it may appeal to the Malay-Muslim segment who are not already supporters of PN. 'For the non-Malays and non-Muslim segments, they will need more convincing. As of now, the non-Malay, non-Muslim parties are aligned with the unity government,' he added.
Free Malaysia Today
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Court charges a ‘blessing in disguise' for Urimai, says Ramasamy
P Ramasamy claimed trial to 17 counts of criminal breach of trust involving RM850,000 in Penang Hindu Endowments Board's funds. BUTTERWORTH : Former Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy described his court charges as a blessing in disguise since it will help strengthen his party, Urimai. Ramasamy said the court case would help the party attract more supporters to Urimai's cause of championing the plight of the Indian community. He claimed that his party, which he founded after leaving DAP in 2023, was already being viewed as a threat by the Pakatan Harapan-led coalition. 'They (my rivals) are thinking of how to discredit me,' he told reporters here. Such a scheme by his political rivals, he said, would backfire. 'Charging me (in court) is actually a blessing because I think Urimai is going to be more popular.' Earlier, Ramasamy pleaded not guilty to 17 counts of criminal breach of trust involving RM850,000 in Penang Hindu Endowments Board's funds. He was the board's chairman from 2010 to 2023. Last year, the present PHEB commissioners submitted a complaint to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, after highlighting red flags during an audit. Ramasamy said the charges were politically motivated, claiming that he was likely dragged to court for quitting DAP and setting up Urimai, as well as his continuous criticism of the government. He also alleged that certain quarters were trying to derail his political career through the charges linked to the 2019 Thaipusam golden chariot purchase and cash aid given to needy individuals during his PHEB chairmanship. He, however, said PHEB's decisions were made collectively by the board. 'Every payment had the board's approval. I'm not the only signatory,' he said. His lawyer, Shamsher Singh Thind, said the 17 charges were excessive and lacked merit, adding that 13 charges alone were for the 13 transactions made in purchasing the golden chariot. Shamsher said PHEB's accounts were audited yearly by the auditor-general and that these had been given clean certificates. He wondered why it took so many years for these 'red flags' to be detected. 'These charges are frivolous,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Ramasamy to face 17 CBT charges involving RM850,000, say sources
It was earlier reported that former Penang deputy chief minister II P Ramasamy will face charges under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009 for alleged abuse of power. GEORGE TOWN : Former Penang deputy chief minister II P Ramasamy is expected to face 17 charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM850,000 when he is brought to court tomorrow, according to two sources. Sources from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Attorney-General's Chambers confirmed that the charges will be brought under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which provides for a jail term of up to 20 years, whipping, and a fine, if found guilty. The charges are believed to be related to the procurement of a gold-plated chariot by the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB) in 2019, during Ramasamy's tenure as chairman. They also involve four charitable payments – two linked to educational sponsorships and two for medical expenses – made to external parties. Earlier today, Ramasamy's lawyer, Shamsher Singh Thind, said the 76-year-old will be brought before the sessions court in Butterworth to face charges under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009 for alleged abuse of power. Ramasamy has denied all allegations, describing the case as politically motivated. . MORE TO COME
Malay Mail
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
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.
