Latest news with #PenangHinduEndowmentBoard
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.
The Star
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Ramasamy arrives at Butterworth Sessions Court, expected to be charged with abuse of power
BUTTERWORTH: Former deputy chief minister Dr P. Ramasamy has arrived at the Butterworth Sessions Court to face charges of alleged abuse of power on Wednesday (May 14). He arrived at the court at about 8.30am and was accompanied by his supporters. He is expected to be charged under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. It was reported that Ramasamy had been barred from leaving the country in December last year. He later voluntarily went to the Penang MACC office and presented himself for questioning on alleged irregularities in the purchase of a chariot by the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB), of which he was the then chairman.
Barnama
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Ramasamy To Be Charged With 17 Counts Of Power Abuse Tomorrow
GEORGE TOWN, May 13 (Bernama) -- Former Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy is expected to be charged at the Butterworth Sessions Court tomorrow on 17 counts of abuse of power during his tenure as chairman of the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB). According to sources, 13 of the charges are related to the purchase of a gold chariot, while the remaining four involve the approval of two educational aid applications and two medical aid applications from the PHEB. For gold chariot charges, sources said that Ramasamy is alleged to have abused his position to obtain RM300,000 from the PHEB Special Allocation Account around 2019.
The Star
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Ramasamy expected to be slapped with 17 CBT charges
GEORGE TOWN: Former deputy chief minister Dr P. Ramasamy is expected to face 17 criminal breach of trust charges at the Butterworth Sessions Court on Wednesday (May 14). Sources confirmed that the charges would be framed under Section 409 of the Penal Code criminal breach of trust by a public servant or agent, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years, whipping and a fine. The charges involve the procurement of a gold-plated chariot by the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) in 2019 and donations to four charitable organisations. The former PHEB chairman was called in for questioning at 10am on Monday (May 12). Ramasamy, 76, was barred from travelling to Indonesia in December 2024. His lawyer, Shamsher Singh Thind, earlier said Ramasamy would be brought to the Butterworth court on Wednesday (May 14) to face charges under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.
The Star
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Ex-Penang deputy chief minister to be charged with abuse of power
PETALING JAYA: Former Penang deputy chief minister II Dr P. Ramasamy will be charged at the Butterworth Sessions Court with alleged abuse of power on Wednesday (May 14). Ramasamy's lawyer Shamsher Singh Thind said he would be charged under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. The lawyer said Ramasamy was called in for questioning at 10am on Monday (May 12). He added that the MACC has not disclosed the details of the charge. Ramasamy was barred from leaving the country in December last year. He later voluntarily went to the Penang MACC office and presented himself for questioning on alleged irregularities in the purchase of a chariot by the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB), of which he was the chairman.
