Ramasamy, former officer under corruption probe: MACC source

Former Penang deputy chief minister (DCM) II P Ramasamy has been barred from leaving the country as he is being investigated for corruption, according to an MACC insider.

The source said MACC has also remanded a former special officer to Ramasamy to facilitate an investigation into the case, where they had allegedly abused their positions in an agency to gain some RM300,000 from the purchase of a golden chariot.

When the deal purportedly took place around 2019, Ramasamy was the chairperson of the agency that deals with religious institutions, while the other suspect was its executive director.

“Initial investigation revealed that the former DCM and the (second) suspect had taken over RM300,000 from the agency’s special fund account for their personal benefits.

“The money was for the purchase of a golden chariot from an overseas company, which both of them have interests in.

“The former DCM is also suspected of having abused his power when he approved an RM50,000 medical aid to an individual, whom we believe is his associate,” said the officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Malaysiakini had contacted the source to check on why Ramasamy was barred from leaving the country.

Yesterday, it was reported that immigration officers had stopped the Urimai party chairperson from boarding a flight to Banda Aceh, Indonesia, and informed Ramasamy that he had been blacklisted from travelling abroad.

Meanwhile, Penang MACC director Mohd Fuad Bee Basrah when contacted said the case is being investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act, which deals with abusing one’s office or position for gratification.

He also confirmed that both the individuals under investigation have been barred from leaving the country until the agency concludes its probe.

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