FORMER Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy will be charged at the Butterworth Sessions Court under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 tomorrow (May 14).
He was earlier instructed by the graft buster agency to appear at the Penang MACC headquarters yesterday (May 12).
“This is very clear and unambiguous attempt at political victimisation which has to be seen in the larger context of the Malays, Chinese and Indians withdrawing their support from Pakatan Harapan (PH),” he told FocusM in a WhatsApp voice message.
“A desperate PMX has extended the tenure of MACC head honcho Tan Sri Azam Baki … without PMX’s directive, I don’t think MACC will charge me because there have nothing against me.
“All these allegations are being drummed up … One thing for sure is I’ll fight against all allegations against me by PMX, DAP and the PH coalition.”
The charges against the former DAP stalwart and ex-Perai state assemblyman could be linked to the procurement of the Golden Chariot in 2017 and welfare assistance distributed to the public through the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB), according to the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) secretary Satees Muniandy.
“These matters have repeatedly been used by detractors to discredit Prof Ramasamy since 2017 and were long ago brought to the attention of the MACC,” lamented the former DAP Bagan Dalam state assemblyman.
Act of desperation
“We understand that MACC officers in Penang are acting under instructions from Putrajaya. It is no coincidence that these charges emerge just as Prof Ramasamy has been openly critical of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, particularly on issues such as nepotism and governance.”
Added Satees: “In our view, these charges are clearly politically motivated. We are aware that certain DAP leaders have been persistently lobbying the MACC to pursue this case.
“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.
“Prof Ramasamy and Urimai will fight these allegations in a court of law, and we believe the truth will ultimately prevail. Those in power may attempt to use state institutions to intimidate and suppress critics but they must remember – power is not permanent.”
Ramasamy who is currently chairman of the Urimai interim council will be represented by lawyer Dr Shamsher Singh Thind of Messrs SS THIND.
“We respectfully request that all parties allow the legal process to take its course and refrain from speculation pending the outcome of the proceedings,” appealed the counsel. – May 13, 2025
