Former Penang deputy chief minister II P Ramasamy has confirmed that he will face charges brought by the MACC tomorrow.
Ramasamy briefly told Malaysiakini that he had not been informed of the specifics of the charge but believed they were linked to the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB), which he had previously overseen.
The United for the Rights of Malaysians Party (Urimai) pro-tem chairperson added that he plans to defend himself against the "unfounded charge", which he alleged is linked to a "political vendetta" against him.
When contacted, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki affirmed that the charges against Ramasamy are linked to the PHEB.
In a statement, Urimai interim council secretary Satees Muniandy said Ramasamy will be charged at the Butterworth Sessions Court under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009 for using a public office or position for gratification.
The law provides for an imprisonment term of up to 20 years and a fine not less than five times the sum or value of the gratification received or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Satees said the charges might be linked to PHEB's procurement of a golden chariot in 2017 and its distribution of welfare assistance to the public.
“These matters have repeatedly been used by detractors to discredit Ramasamy since 2017, and were long ago brought to the attention of the MACC.
“It is no coincidence that these charges emerge just as Ramasamy has been openly critical of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, particularly on issues such as nepotism and governance,” he added.
Asserting that the charges are “clearly politically motivated”, Satees claimed that certain DAP leaders have been persistently lobbying for the anti-graft agency to pursue its case against Ramasamy, who was the PHEB chairperson from 2010 to 2023.
“With Indian voters increasingly distancing themselves from so-called multiracial parties like PKR and DAP, it appears that the Madani government feels compelled to silence dissenting voices.
“Those in power may attempt to use state institutions to intimidate and suppress critics, but they must remember - power is not permanent,” Satees warned.
Alleged power abuse
In December last year, an MACC insider told Malaysiakini that initial investigations indicated that Ramasamy and his former special officer had allegedly abused their positions in an agency to gain some RM300,000 from the purchase of a golden chariot.
The money was for the purchase of the chariot from an overseas company, which both suspects have interests in.
The source added that Ramasamy was suspected of abusing his power when he approved an RM50,000 medical aid to an individual, believed to be his associate.
Earlier in August, Bernama reported that Ramasamy’s successor in PHEB, RSN Rayer, submitted the board’s findings of an internal forensic audit to the MACC.
While the DAP MP claimed that the audit had uncovered several red flags, he did not provide details as he wished to avoid compromising any MACC probe.
The audit also drew Ramasamy’s condemnation, with the former DAP lawmaker claiming that the audit was an attempt to discredit him and the commissioner who contributed to PHEB’s development. - Mkini
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