KUALA LUMPUR – Former Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Dr Ramasamy Palanisamy has defended his record at the helm of the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB), insisting that no concerns were ever raised during his 13-year tenure ahead of his court appearance on May 14 in Butterworth.
While the exact charges have yet to be officially confirmed, they are believed to be linked to his management of PHEB funds during his time as chairman, particularly involving welfare and educational allocations for the Indian community and the procurement of the Golden Chariot in 2017.
“During my leadership, this individual never raised any concerns at Board meetings. In fact, during my tenure, the Board’s finances were consistently audited by the Federal Audit Department, which never reported any discrepancies or irregularities,” he said in a statement.
Ramasamy added that all financial records were subject to regular audits and that no irregularities were ever identified by the authorities throughout his time in office.
He claimed the allegations only surfaced after he stepped down from the Board and resigned from the Democratic Action Party (DAP), suggesting the charges are politically motivated. He alleged that senior DAP figures in Penang had urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to pursue the case.
“Following the investigation, I fully cooperated with the MACC, providing a detailed and objective account of the Board’s operations, funding allocations, and decision-making processes. To my knowledge, no criminal wrongdoing occurred—there may have been procedural issues, but all major decisions were made transparently during monthly Board meetings,” he said.
Ramasamy further accused the government of using enforcement agencies to stifle dissent, citing his criticism of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, particularly over the appointment of family members to senior positions.
“I am prepared to fight these charges vigorously. I will not be intimidated by attempts to use government institutions as tools of political vengeance,” he said.
“I am ready to stand my ground and defend myself, not just in court, but in the court of public opinion. The truth will prevail.”
He also noted his continued support for opposition parties during recent by-elections and his ongoing criticism of the government’s handling of Indian community issues.
The 76-year-old is expected to face 17 counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which pertains to CBT by a public servant or agent. If convicted, the offence carries a jail term of up to 20 years, whipping, and a fine.
According to local reports, the charges are believed to involve the purchase of a gold-plated chariot by PHEB in 2019 and donations made to four charitable bodies.
Ramasamy was reportedly summoned for questioning by MACC at 10am on Monday (May 12). He was previously barred from leaving the country in December 2024 while investigations were ongoing.
His counsel, Shamsher Singh Thind, confirmed that Ramasamy would be brought to the Butterworth Sessions Court on Wednesday to face charges also expected to be framed under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. – May 13, 2025