Latest news with #criminalbreachoftrust
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
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
14-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Ramasamy claims trial to 17 CBT charges
Former Penang deputy chief minister II and Penang Hindu Endowments Board chairman P Ramasamy is accused of using PHEB funds between May 2019 and February 2022 without obtaining the board's formal approval. BUTTERWORTH : Former Penang deputy chief minister II P Ramasamy was charged with 17 counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) today involving Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB) funds during his time at its helm. Ramasamy, who was the PHEB chairman from 2010 to 2023, 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 against the 76-year-old are 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. Ramasamy pleaded not guilty after the charges were read out before judge Zulhazmi Abdullah at the sessions court here. The 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. Bail was set at RM78,000. Lawyers Shamsher Singh Thind, Eng Yuh Pei, and Archana Chandrasekaran represented Ramasamy while Azura Zulkiflee and Nurnajihatul Idayu Azuyar prosecuted. Selva Mookiah held a watching brief for the PHEB. The court set July 15 for mention.
Malay Mail
14-05-2025
- Malay Mail
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 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.
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
