GEORGE TOWN – A social activist is calling on the authorities to investigate the Penang Tamil Schools Committee over the alleged purchase of 500 poor-quality tablets for B40 students across 28 Tamil schools in the state.
Non-governmental organisation Karunai Oviyam president S. Murugesan urged the police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Education Ministry and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, as well as Consumers’ Association of Penang, to investigate the allegations.
“It has allegedly claimed RM425 in costs per tablet, but eventually, the tablet, which is of lower specs, only cost RM225.
“The state had contributed RM212,000, and the group allegedly cheated the state government of RM150,000,” he told a press conference at Komtar here today.
On September 25, Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy presented several of the said tablets during an event at the Sri Selva Vinayagar Temple in Prai.
Murugesan said because the tablets are of poorer quality, they could be dangerous and threaten the safety of the 500 students who will receive it, citing overheating and possible explosions.
He alleged the Penang Tamil Schools Committee headed by Ramasamy is involved in the scandal.
“The secretary of the committee said that the tablets were purchased via tender in six separate companies, but the state Economic Planning Division did not issue any tender, so is the state government responsible for this as well?” he asked.
He also alleged that the students need to repay the amount as the tablets are actually loaned to the students.
Murugesan has since lodged a report with the MACC and submitted documents pertaining to his claims on September 30. He also lodged a police report on the issue.
Meanwhile, Ramasamy said the state government will not be intimidated by malicious rumours surrounding the supply of the tablets.
The Prai assemblyman said there is no basis to the claims, calling them “mischievous” and “harmful”.
“The pandemic has been especially hard on primary school children, especially those with no guidance or from poor families,” Ramasamy said.
“During the pandemic, the state government and private sector have been making efforts to supply computers and tablets, either through the schools or directly to students,” he said.
To date, Ramasamy said hundreds of computers and tablets have been given to students from B40 families in the state. – The Vibes, October 5, 2021
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