FORMER Penang deputy chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy who is slated to receive a peace award from Aceh’s Wali Nanggoroe (head of state) tonight (Dec 4) has been prevented from leaving the country by the Immigration authority.
The United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council chairman was informed by Immigration officers that he has been blacklisted from leaving the country this morning due to restrictions put forward by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
It is understood that the graft buster has been investigating the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB) for the past one week. Until now, the former DAP stalwart has yet to be summoned by the MACC for questioning.
“When contacted, the MACC said that the restrictions were on the orders of Putrajaya,” Urimai’s interim secretary-general Satees Muniandy pointed out in a WhatsApp text.
“Prof Ramasamy has repeatedly stated that he’s ready to be investigated not only by the MACC but by any authority.”
On this note, Satees said Urimai is made to understand that there are several individuals who are “very keen to target Ramasamy in the PHEB case”.
“Is it a crime to criticise the current Madani government till we should be treated like criminals?” asked sates who is also the former DAP Bagan Dalam state assemblyman.
“As those who’re charged in court are allowed to leave the country with permission from the court, what is the basis for someone to be prevented from leaving the country on the grounds of ‘investigation’?”
Satees further stated that the office of the Wali Nanggoroe Aceh has made all the protocol preparations to receive Ramasamy as their guest to in the peace award presentation ceremony.
“But now everything has to be cancelled at the eleventh hour. We’ve expressed our regret to the office of the Wali Nanggoroe for not been able to fulfil the invitation of His Excellency Tengku Mahmud Malik tonight,” lamented Satees.
“We informed our host that we’re unable to attend because Malaysian politics is becoming more dictatorial under the Madani regime.”
For the record, Satees and Urimai’s deputy chairman David Marshel who were accompanying Ramasamy in the trip had no problem clearing the immigration but decided to call off their flight via Firefly from the Penang International Airport to Banda Aceh due to Ramasamy’s inability to travel. – Dec 4, 2024
