Former Penang deputy chief minister II P Ramasamy slammed an internal audit of the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB), calling it a “political witch-hunt”.

He was responding to PHEB chairperson RSN Rayer’s statement yesterday that an independent auditor found “red flags” in the agency.

Ramasamy served as chairperson of PHEB from 2009 to 2022. The agency of the Penang government manages Hindu religious affairs in the state.

Ramasamy said the audit was an attempt to discredit him and the commissioners who contributed to PHEB’s development.

“I have no problems with the MACC investigating the ‘red flags’.

“Rayer can deny that the audit report is not intended as a ‘witch-hunt’, but I would certainly like the MACC to do a thorough investigation on the issues that have been ‘red flagged’ by the audit report,” said Ramasamy in a statement.

Penang Hindu Endowments Board chairperson and Jelutong MP RSN Rayer

Yesterday, Free Malaysia Today reported Rayer as saying that “several red flags” were detected in PHEB.

However, the Jelutong MP did not provide details as he did not want to compromise any probe by the MACC.

“The forensic audit report has been completed and we will be handing it over to the MACC for further investigation.

“We hope that the MACC will pursue this matter and take the necessary action,” Rayer said at a press conference.

‘Decisions made collectively’

Meanwhile, Ramasamy said that, during his tenure, all major decisions by the PHEB were made collectively.

He also pointed out that Rayer was one of the board’s commissioners for 15 years.

“Major decisions in PHEB were collectively made under my leadership. While I was PHEB chairperson for 13 years, the present chairperson (Rayer) was a former commissioner for 15 years.

“The present state executive council member for housing and environment S Sundrajoo was also a commissioner for some years.

“Hopefully, these two individuals don’t turn around to say they were not part of the decision-making. The minutes of the board meetings will indicate those present and the decisions taken,” said the former Perai assemblyperson.

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