Former Penang DCM Ramasamy barred from leaving the country

FORMER PKR deputy secretary-general S. Raveentharan has questioned why the immigration authorities barred former Penang Deputy Chief Minister Dr P. Ramasamy from leaving the country earlier today.

Ramasamy was reportedly barred from boarding a flight to Aceh (Indonesia) this morning when he was stopped at the immigration outbound lane.

The Urimai president was supposed to travel to Banda Aceh, Indonesia, for an event in his honour but was informed by officers that he had been blacklisted due to a “directive” from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

MACC is probing the dealings of the Penang Hindu Endowment Board when Ramasamy was chairman.

To this, Raveentharan said that the onus of "innocent until proven guilty", is imperative here and barring Ramasamy is akin to violating his human rights to travel.

"Has Ramasamy been charged for anything yet? Has he failed to cooperate with the authorities?," asked Raveentharan.

Urimai secretary-general Satees Muniandy has reportedly confirmed that this was concerning an ongoing investigation by MACC.

Ramasamy was a former DAP deputy secretary-general before he exited the party last year after he was dropped as a party candidate in last year's state election.

He subsequently formed the Urimai party which stands for the right party.

“The office of the Wali Nanggroe Aceh had made all the necessary preparations to host Ramasamy. This last-minute ban reflects poorly on the increasingly authoritarian political climate in our country,” Satees said.

Ramasamy was supposed to receive an award from the Wali Nanggoroe of Aceh, Indonesia tonight.

Wali Nanggoroe (Head of the State), His Excellency Tengku Mahmud Malik will 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).  - The Vibes, December 4, 2024.