Ramasamy charged with 17 CBT charges over gold chariot, education and medical assistance

K PRAGALATH

Former Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHB) chairman P Ramasamy, 76, was charged with 17 counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT).

He is charged under section 409 of the Penal Code. If he is convicted, the former deputy chief minister would be facing a maximum jail term of 20 years, whipping and fine.

Ramasamy who was PHEB chairman for 13 years since 2010 stands accused of using PHEB funds without the board’s formal approval between May 2019 and February 2022.

The charges are linked to the procurement of a gold plated Thaipusam chariot in 2019 and payments for education sponsorships and medical assistance.

Ramasamy pleaded not guilty to the charges before sessions court judge, Zulhazmi Abdullah.

He was out with bail set at RM78,000.

The protem Urimai leader was represented by Shamsher Singh Thind, Eng Yuh Pei, and Archana Chandrasekaran.

The case will be heard next on July 15.