Latest news with #PRamasamy
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
I've no issue with Dr M's Malay umbrella body, says Ramasamy
Urimai chairman P Ramasamy said former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's call for Malay unity reflects growing concerns over the country's unstable political and economic conditions. PETALING JAYA : Former Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy says there is nothing inherently wrong with Dr Mahathir Mohamad's plan to form a new umbrella organisation to protect and advance Malay rights, as long as it does not come at the expense of other ethnic communities. The Urimai chairman said the former prime minister's proposal would only become 'problematic' if such advocacy infringes upon the rights of other ethnic communities, such as the Chinese, Indians, and others. Noting that non-Malays make up 40% of the population in Peninsula Malaysia, he said it must be acknowledged that they also experience a 'deep sense of deprivation'. 'So far, there appears to be no fundamental quarrel with Mahathir's initiative, provided it respects the multicultural fabric of the nation,' Ramasamy said in a statement. 'They (non-Muslims) are not against Malays seeking their legitimate rights, as long as this does not translate into their own marginalisation.' He also suggested that Mahathir's call for Malay unity reflects growing concerns over the country's unstable political and economic conditions. However, Ramasamy said the struggle for rights in Malaysia must not be 'ethnically siloed'. 'Instead, it should be a common, inclusive quest for all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion, toward social, economic, and political justice.' He added that establishing a Malay-centric umbrella initiative should not be viewed as the end goal, but rather, an opportunity to imagine new, equitable frameworks for managing race relations in the country. Ramasamy was responding to a call by Mahathir for Malays to join his new unity alliance, which the latter said was aimed at saving the community from what he described as their political and economic decline. Mahathir said the group, which includes PAS and Bersatu, is not a political party but a coalition aimed at 'restoring Malay power' in the government.
Malaysiakini
4 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Ramasamy: Is it time for a non-Malay 'big umbrella'?
Urimai chairperson P Ramasamy is contemplating whether it is time for non-Malay communities to consider forming their own umbrella coalition to defend their 'rapidly eroding rights' in what he describes as a fragmented and directionless Malaysia. Commenting on former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's proposed 'big umbrella' for the Malays, Ramasamy argued that the plight of non-Malays under the Pakatan Harapan and Anwar Ibrahim-led government is equally troubling.
Malaysiakini
4 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Ramasamy: Is it time for a non-Malay 'big umbrella'?
Urimai chairperson P Ramasamy is contemplating whether it is time for non-Malay communities to consider forming their own umbrella coalition to defend their 'rapidly eroding rights' in what he describes as a fragmented and directionless Malaysia. Commenting on former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's proposed 'big umbrella' for the Malays, Ramasamy argued that the plight of non-Malays under the Pakatan Harapan and Anwar Ibrahim-led government is equally troubling.
Free Malaysia Today
17-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Ramasamy to sue those spreading ‘defamatory' posts on CBT charges
P Ramasamy and his lawyer Shamsher Singh Thind (right) arriving for a hearing of a defamation suit in George Town last year. PETALING JAYA : Urimai chairman P Ramasamy has threatened to sue social media users spreading allegedly defamatory posts concerning his 17 charges of criminal breach of trust involving funds of the Penang Hindu Endowments Board. His lawyer, Shamsher Singh Thind, said all parties should refrain from making speculative comments on the case, and allow due process to take its course. Shamsher said the charges against Ramasamy were about not obtaining the endowments board's approval for the transfer of more than RM859,000 between 2019 and 2022 for various purposes. Ramasamy was deputy chief minister of Penang and chairman of the board at the time. Shamsher said in a statement: 'It is not that Ramasamy made the payments to himself, his relatives, or his associates. It is just that there was no 'prior approval' from the board. 'Whether or not Ramasamy made all 17 payments without prior approval from the board, it is something for the court to decide when the time comes.' He said Ramasamy had instructed that legal action be taken against those spreading defamatory posts and false information about him. On Wednesday, Ramasamy claimed trial to 17 counts of criminal breach of trust. He is accused of using RM859,131.29 in PHEB funds between May 2019 and February 2022 without obtaining the board's formal approval. Thirteen charges were linked to the procurement of a gold-plated Thaipusam chariot for RM779,131.29 in 2019. Two charges concerned RM65,000 in medical assistance for two persons, while two other charges involved RM15,000 in education sponsorships.
Free Malaysia Today
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Charges against Rama reek of political payback, says DAP's Santiago
DAP's Charles Santiago (left) said the timing of the charges against former party colleague P Ramasamy is suspicious as the allegations involving PHEB are not new. PETALING JAYA : Former Klang MP Charles Santiago has expressed concern over the 17 criminal breach of trust charges levelled against former Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy, saying it raises suspicions of political payback. Santiago said the timing of the charges against Ramasamy, who has been critical of the government since he quit DAP in August 2023, was suspicious when the allegations involving the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB) were not new. The DAP man warned that this move would tarnish public trust in the integrity of government institutions, including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. 'The sudden urgency to press charges conveniently timed after Ramasamy's outspoken criticism of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on issues such as nepotism, governance, and institutional decay raises legitimate suspicion of political retaliation. 'This is not just about Ramasamy. It is about the integrity of public institutions that must operate free from political influence. 'When state machinery appears to be weaponised to silence dissent, especially against veteran leaders who have spent decades in public service, it undermines public trust in both the justice system and the government's reform agenda,' he said in a statement. Santiago said the unity government must not revert to the 'playbook of persecution' employed by past administrations. He said Putrajaya must value independent voices that question, critique and hold them accountable, and not meet them with legal intimidation. 'At a time when racial polarisation, economic disparity, and democratic fatigue are real and growing, the last thing Malaysia needs is to distract itself with anything that vaguely hints of political vendettas,' he said. Earlier today, Ramasamy claimed trial to 17 charges of CBT by using RM859,131.29 in PHEB funds between May 2019 and February 2022 without obtaining the board's formal approval. Thirteen of the charges against Ramasamy, who chaired PHEB from 2010 to 2023, were linked to the procurement of a RM779,131.29 gold-plated Thaipusam chariot in 2019. Two charges are linked to RM65,000 in medical assistance to individuals, while two other charges are linked to RM15,000 in education sponsorships.
