FORMER Penang Deputy Chief Minister Dr P. Ramasamy has described the present unity government as ‘worse’ than Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional after he was barred from leaving the country over an alleged corruption investigation.
Ramasamy told journalists this at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in George Town.
He was at the MACC to query why he was barred from boarding a flight to Aceh (Indonesia) yesterday to receive a peace honour award from the provincial government there.
Ramasamy said that he was not charged, nor questioned by MACC over what is believed to be related to a forensic audit which the present Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) chairman RSN Rayer submitted to MACC.
Ramasamy questioned why he was slapped with a travel ban when he was not charged nor questioned by MACC, saying this is ‘horrible’.
Ramasamy was the predecessor to Rayer and during his tenure, the board grew in stature for its management of Hindu places of worship here due to the acquisition of both temples and assets related to the Indian community.
The former three-term Prai assemblyman and state DAP deputy chairperson, quit the party last year after he was dropped as a candidate for the last state election.
He then formed a rights party - Urimai, targeting disgruntled members of the Indian community, who accused the present government of neglecting them.
An outspoken critic of the national unity government now, Ramasamy who blogs constantly, said that the MACC needs to be transparent about its investigation.
He added that he was informed that the Aceh provincial government plans to issue a protest note to Wisma Putra (Foreign Ministry) over his travel ban.
Wali Nanggoroe (Head of the State), His Excellency Tengku Mahmud Malik was scheduled to present the award in a ceremony scheduled to take place in Istana Wali Nanggoroe in Banda Aceh.
The award is in recognition of Ramasamy’s efforts in promoting peace in Aceh which led to the successful conclusion of the Helsinki Agreement on August 15, 2005 between the Republic of Indonesia and Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM).
In a related development, the investigation into the PHEB by the MACC seems to be gathering pace, as it is learnt that a former top official was picked up by the anti-corruption investigators for questioning yesterday.
The official was held overnight for questioning.
Rayer when contacted says he doesn't know anything about the matter while MACC officials also remained tight-lipped. - The Vibes, December 5, 2024.
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