FORMER Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy was charged at the Butterworth Sessions Court today for 17 counts of abuse of power involving RM859,131 during his tenure as chairman of the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB).
Ramasamy pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him before Judge Zulhazmi Abdullah.
The former Perai State Assemblyman (ADUN) appeared in court with lawyer, Shamsher Singh Thind and several supporters, at about 8.30 am.
Thirteen of the charges against Ramasamy, 76, involve the purchase of a gold chariot, while two each are related to the approval of educational assistance and the approval of PHEB medical assistance.
Ramasamy, who was the PHEB chairman from 2010 to 2023, is accused of using its funds between May 2019 and February 2022 without endorsement from the board.
He was charged under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum jail term of 20 years, caning, and a fine.
Zulhazmi Abdullah allowed total bail of RM78,000 in two sureties for all 17 charges, ordered Ramasamy to surrender his passport and report to the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) once a month.
Noor Azura Zulkiflee and Nurnanajimatul Idayu Mohd Azuyar prosecuted.
The court set July 15 for mention of the case.
It was earlier reported that the former Penang deputy chief minister was investigated under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, with the charges framed under Section 409 of the Penal Code.
In August last year, the media reported that current PHEB chairman RSN Rayer had submitted the board’s internal forensic audit findings to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Rayer said that the audit had revealed several leads, but did not provide details. – May 14, 2025
