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Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
167 top Hindu SPM scorers receive cash awards from PHEB
Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow (second from right) and Senator Dr RA Lingeshwaran (right) with Darshini Subash Sun, who received a trophy, laptop and RM450 for her 9A+ in SPM. GEORGE TOWN : A total of 167 Hindu students from 37 schools in Penang who scored 7As and above in the 2024 SPM examination received a total of RM70,200 in cash awards today. Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said the initiative by the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB) recognised academic excellence and reflected the state's ongoing commitment to educational development. 'I am extremely proud of the 819 candidates in Penang who obtained straight As in the 2024 SPM exam,' he said at the award presentation at Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang here today. Chow said as of May this year, PHEB had allocated around RM1.5 million to support 1,217 students across the state. PHEB deputy chairman Senator Dr RA Lingeshwaran said this was the second consecutive year the board had recognised outstanding Hindu students in the SPM examination. He said each student would receive RM50 for every A, with amounts ranging from RM350 for 7As to RM550 for 11As. The most outstanding scorer with 9A+, Darshini Subash Sun from SMK Hussein Onn, received a trophy, laptop and RM450. Kuhan Tharman, an 8A student from SMJK Chung Ling, received RM400. Lingeshwaran said that between 2023 and May 2025, PHEB had channelled RM883,607 into education aid for students pursuing certificate, diploma and degree programmes, as well as welfare assistance. In total, nearly RM1 million had been spent, benefitting at least 1,028 Hindus in Penang, he said. 'This year, PHEB received RM2 million in state funding, up from RM1.5 million last year,' he said.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
PHEB awards RM70,200 to Indian SPM top scorers in Penang
GEORGE TOWN: A total of 167 high-achieving Indian students in Penang who excelled in the 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination received contributions amounting to RM70,200 from the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB). Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the students, who scored 7As and above across 37 schools, reflect the state government's continued commitment to educational development. 'I believe every young person in Penang has great potential to succeed, provided they remain committed and seize the opportunities for guidance and support available to them. 'The state government continues to prioritise human capital development as outlined in the Penang2030 Vision, with a key focus on enhancing access to quality education for all,' he said during the PHEB Education Carnival for SPM and STPM leavers and the 2024 SPM top scorer appreciation ceremony today. Also present were PHEB chairman RSN Rayer and his deputy, A Lingeshwaran. Meanwhile, Lingeshwaran said this marks the second consecutive year the board has recognised outstanding Indian students in Penang, with each of them receiving RM50 for every A obtained in the SPM examination. He added that between 2023 and May 2025, PHEB has channelled a total of RM883,607 towards educational aid for students pursuing certificate, diploma and degree programmes, as well as welfare assistance. 'Last year, PHEB received an allocation of RM1.5 million from the state government. This year, the amount has increased to RM2 million. 'We hope these funds will continue to benefit the Indian community in Penang, especially our youth pursuing education,' he said.
The Star
15-05-2025
- The Star
CBT charges hit Ramasamy
BUTTERWORTH: Former Penang deputy chief minister II Dr P. Ramasamy ( pic ) faces up to 20 years in jail after being slapped with 17 counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM859,131.29 from the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB), which he chaired from 2010 to 2023. Thirteen charges were related to the purchase of a gold-plated chariot worth RM779,131.29. Two other charges involving RM15,000 were meant for educational assistance, while the remaining two charges concerning RM65,000 were linked to medical aid. Ramasamy, who was entrusted with control over the board's assets, is accused of misusing the funds without obtaining formal approval from the board. All charges were said to have been committed between May 2, 2019, and April 18, 2023, at two banks located in Komtar and Prangin Mall. Clad in a black jacket, he appeared calm and pleaded not guilty before Sessions Court judge Zulhazmi Abdullah. According to charges one to 13, Ramasamy is accused of making RM779,131.29 in payments via cheques and telegraphic transfers for the purchase of a gold-plated chariot from Manasa Wood Creations (MWC). The payments were issued in the name of PHEB staff L. Gunasagaran between May 2, 2019, and April 18, 2023. The 14th and 15th charges involved medical aid payments of RM50,000 and RM15,000 made via cheque on March 9, 2020, and Aug 24, 2021, respectively. For the 16th and 17th charges, Ramasamy allegedly issued two cheques, RM10,000 on Jan 5, 2022, and RM5,000 on Feb 9, 2022, for educational aid. All charges were framed under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum jail term of 20 years, whipping, and a fine upon conviction. Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy public prosecutors Noor Azura Zulkiflee and Nurnajihatul Idayu Mohd Azuyar prosecuted, while Ramasamy was represented by Dr Shamsher Singh Thind, Eng Yuh Pei and Archana Chandrasekaran. Datuk Selva Mookiah held a watching brief for PHEB. Noor Azura sought RM100,000 bail – RM60,000 for the first 13 charges and RM40,000 for the remaining four – with the condition that Ramasamy surrender his passport and report monthly to the nearest MACC office. Shamsher, in mitigation, requested a reduced bail, citing his client's full cooperation with investigations since December and voluntary court attendance. Zulhazmi set total bail at RM78,000 (RM60,000 for all the first 13 charges, RM10,000 for the 14th and 15th charges, and RM8,000 for the 16th and 17th charges), with one surety. He also imposed the requested conditions. Ramasamy posted bail.
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.
Daily Express
14-05-2025
- Daily Express
Former Penang DCM pleads not guilty to 17 CBT charges
Published on: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 14, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: BUTTERWORTH: Former Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy ( pic ) was charged in the Sessions Court here today on 17 counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving funds belonging to the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) totalling RM859,131.29. Ramasamy, 76, pleaded not guilty to all the charges before Judge Zulhazmi Abdullah. On all the 13 counts, Ramasamy, was charged as the then PHEB chairman entrusted with the funds, to have committed CBT by dishonestly misusing the funds to pay a total of RM779,131.29 in separate payments via cheque and telegraphic transfer for the purchase of a gold chariot to two different companies without first obtaining approval from the PHEB meeting. He is accused of committing the offences in the Timur Laut district between 2019 and 2023. Ramasamy was also charged with another two counts of making a similar offence, involving payments totalling RM65,000 via cheques to two individuals for medical expenses without obtaining the approval of the PHEB meeting. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
