[UPDATED] Penang deputy CM’s ex-employees claim staffer engaged in corruption

GEORGE TOWN – Two former staffers of Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy have alleged that his staffer was demanding money from low-cost and affordable housing units applicants in Penang.

Ramasamy’s former personal assistant K. Elemperu Valuthi and his former driver U. Thava Kumar today handed over a memorandum to a representative of Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at Komtar, here, today.

During the subsequent press conference, Elemperu said he had quit his job as Ramasamy’s personal assistant, as he was unable to accept the alleged malpractices of the then special assistant, who was demanding money from applicants vying to get either low-cost or affordable housing units in Penang.

“I quit my job in 2019, as I could no longer accept and tolerate the wrongdoings of Ramasamy’s special assistant.

“I sent a letter to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow stating the malpractices of the special assistant in 2019 after I quit my job. 

“However, there has been no action against the said individual over the matter,” he said.

It is learnt that the individual involved was serving in Ramasamy’s office as his special assistant before quitting the post.

However, it is learnt that he has since resumed his services at the same office in a different position.

Along with Elemperu, several other non-government organisations also participated in the press conference, including Persatuan Kebajikan Surplus Pulau Pinang with its president Sophian Mohd Zanin, and Urban Life Volunteers executive secretary Sarah Abdullah.

Elemperu has served the state government for 42 years, including a 12-year stint with Ramasamy.

“I have lodged several police reports, as well as complaints with the Malaysian Integrity Department and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.”

He alleged that the said individual has taken or demanded an average of RM5,000 from each applicant, involving at least 30 applicants. 

An applicant, R. Marayi, 65, who was present during the press conference, said she had applied for a low-cost unit, with the said person purportedly asking RM3,000 for the unit.

While she said she had only managed to pay RM2,000, Marayi claimed she failed to get the unit and asked for a refund of the money, which she eventually received.

Another applicant, Norjahan Sinthamadar, 50, from Air Itam here said the individual had allegedly demanded RM5,000 from her in 2016, but only managed to pay him RM4,000 then.

She added that the individual had since returned the money about two days ago.

Meanwhile, Sophian said they have since lodged a report at the state Housing Department to investigate the matter as no one should fall victim to such scandals. 

In response, Ramasamy, when contacted by The Vibes for comments over the matter, said the issue had surfaced now out of jealousy against his staffer. 

He said the special assistant, who quit his job previously in 2018, was a capable man in handling public issues and helped resolve the problems of the poor and underprivileged.

Ramasamy said he has yet to receive any formal complaints against the special assistant as he continues to visit the office in Komtar.

“He is very good in handling housing matters and especially in identifying applicants for the low-cost and affordable housing units, as they will be qualified and deserving people.

“He is also very enterprising and is doing well in his own business. 

“If I need to take a new job, I prefer to employ him again, unlike the complainants, who were untrustworthy and have character problems,” he said.

He said he had sacked them because they were “not qualified to be my office staff”.

“Why submit a memorandum to the chief minister on the matter if there is sufficient evidence? 

“Let police and MACC investigate. At the same time, why join forces with M. Muruges and seek cheap publicity instead?” – The Vibes, March 9, 2022