GEORGE TOWN – Former Penang Deputy Chief Minister II, P. Ramasamy, is expected to be charged at the Butterworth Sessions Court tomorrow for alleged abuse of power, according to his lawyer, Shamsher Singh Thind.
The 76-year-old will face charges under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which deals with public officers who abuse their position for personal gain or for the benefit of others. If found guilty, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Shamsher stated that the MACC has not yet disclosed the full details of the charge. However, the investigation is believed to be linked to alleged procurement irregularities involving the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB), which Ramasamy chaired from 2010 to 2023.
At the centre of the controversy is the 2019 purchase of a gold-plated chariot costing RM800,000, which critics claim was overpriced and of substandard quality. Ramasamy has vehemently denied the allegations, insisting that the chariot was gold-plated – not made of solid gold – and that the procurement went through an open tender process, board approval, and oversight by the Auditor-General.
“To claim that it was made of substandard material is inaccurate. It was gold-plated, which naturally involves the use of other metals,” he explained.
Ramasamy has described the investigation as politically motivated, aimed at tarnishing his reputation. “If there’s a money trail to my account, then prove it,” he challenged.
In August last year, Bernama reported that current PHEB chairman, RSN Rayer, had submitted the results of an internal forensic audit to the MACC, which allegedly revealed several red flags. However, no specific details were provided. Later in December, Ramasamy was barred from leaving the country and was summoned to give a statement at the MACC office.
“We urge all parties to allow the legal process to proceed without speculation,” said Shamsher.
The case, now dubbed by some as the “Golden Chariot Scandal,” is expected to spark widespread debate, particularly within the Malaysian Indian community and among DAP leadership.