BUTTERWORTH — Interim Urimai chairman and former Penang deputy chief minister II P. Ramasamy described the criminal breach of trust (CBT) charges levelled against him as a “blessing”, claiming they will only strengthen the party’s momentum to eventually bring down the current federal government.
Ramasamy, who was charged earlier today with 17 counts of CBT involving RM859,131.29 in funds belonging to the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB), pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here.
Thirteen of the charges relate to a series of payments totalling RM779,131.29 made between 2019 and 2023 for the procurement of a gold-plated chariot intended for the Thaipusam festival. The payments were allegedly directed to Manasa Wood Creations and Keshav Exports.
The remaining four charges involve a total of RM80,000 said to be disbursed as charitable contributions — two for education sponsorships and another two for medical assistance.
Calling the case a form of “political victimisation”, Ramasamy said the charges stem from his decision to part ways with DAP, establish Urimai, and voice criticism against the federal administration.
“I am innocent of all these charges and we will fight these charges because I know this is political intimidation (and form of) political victimisation (perpetrated by) none other than the Pakatan Harapan government,” he told reporters outside the courthouse.
“Charging me is actually a blessing because I think Urimai is going to grow in this country and we will make sure that PH loses not only Penang in the next election but the federal government as well.”
Ramasamy, who chaired PHEB from 2010 until 2023, insisted that all financial decisions — including those involving the chariot and donations — were made collectively by the board.
He clarified that he was not the sole signatory for PHEB cheques, explaining that amounts below RM5,000 were signed by the board’s secretary, while cheques above that amount required joint authorisation from both the secretary and himself.
“There is no way that I would have signed the checks unilaterally without informing them (board members).
“The board members, the secretary and the executive director were consulted. All (payment processes) were done in a proper manner. Therefore, the allegations that I did not seek the approval of the board cannot be accepted, and we will challenge the 17 charges in court,” he said.
Defence counsel Shamsher Singh Thind, meanwhile, dismissed the charges as baseless, noting that PHEB is audited annually by the Auditor-General and has consistently received a clean bill of health.
“If it’s not in order, then all these issues would have been able to be detected during the yearly audit.
“We will do the talking inside the court, and the public will know whether this charge has merit or not,” he said. — May 14, 2025