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.
