Not enough evidence to retract Ramanan's candidacy - Anwar

There is no evidence to show that Pakatan Harapan's candidate for Sungai Buloh, R Ramanan, is implicated in an alleged RM5.5 million fraud case, according to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

Grilled by a university student at a dialogue session in Kuala Lumpur today, the Harapan chairperson said he would not hesitate to retract Ramanan's candidature if anyone had substantial evidence and fact on the issue.

Therefore, Anwar surmised that the only offence committed by Ramanan (above) is that he is a former MIC member.

"We will conduct a review when there is an issue brought to my attention. He was once with MIC, that is the only so-called offence.

"Ramanan is fighting an Umno (party candidate) who was implicated in more cases, namely ECM Libra, fourth floor (boy) and vaccination controversy as he is with the Health Ministry," Anwar said.

"But since there is this allegation, so let him (Ramanan) answer.

"If there is evidence and fact, bring it up. I am waiting (for them). The way I look at it, there is a trend to raise the matter.

"I will cancel (his candidature for Sungai Buloh) if there is evidence and fact. Up until now, only gossip, but no evidence," he said.

Anwar said PKR had conducted a check on the candidates with the MACC and the police.

"Like me, some said I am Israel's agent or a US agent, or an agent in tens of countries. If James Bond is 007, what’s my code name? This is stupid. Some even said they cannot support Anwar because he supports LGBT.”

Ramanan’s case

In a civil case in 2014, the KL High Court found Ramanan had obtained RM5.5 million fraudulently by presenting a forged letter, which led the plaintiff, psychiatrist M Mahadevan, to believe Ramanan could obtain rent owed to him by the Defence Ministry.

The Defence Ministry had used the psychiatrist's land as a firing range. Following the verdict, Ramanan resigned as MIC treasurer-general.

He returned the RM5.5 million to the plaintiff, and the lawsuit was settled out of court.

Ramanan told Malaysiakini that the matter was a business misunderstanding and had been resolved amicably.

No criminal charges were made against Ramanan.

On another development, Anwar said he has completed his asset declaration process.

"I didn't delay (the asset declaration process). I was away in Johor and only came back at 2am today. I got to sign the document before a commissioner of oath, that's why (I was not able to complete it earlier).

"Why not ask caretaker prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin to declare their assets? You should have the courage to ask them," said Anwar.

As of press time, Anwar's asset declaration form has been uploaded to the PKR candidate website.

Aziz Bari to voters: Support Ramanan over Umno-loyalist KJ

'Sg Buloh voters don't want to know how many rings I have'

Ramanan to KJ: Explain ECM Libra issue, don't beat around the bush

'We might not vote along party line' - Sungai Buloh voters in dilemma

'Make allegation clear and I'll sue,' Khairy tells Ramanan

Sg Buloh toughest fight of my political career - Khairy

Ramanan protests 'unfair' media treatment

‘It was just business misunderstanding’, Ramanan explains past legal issue