GEORGE TOWN — Ex-CEO of the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB), Datuk M. Ramachandran, who is under investigation for alleged graft, was released on bail today after spending a night in custody, his lawyer said.
According to R. Roshunraj, Ramachandran was released at 2pm from the Penang Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters at Jln Sultan Ahmad Shah, here.
“He (Ramachandran) was released on MACC bail with one surety. He is doing okay,” the lawyer told Scoop when contacted.
MACC detained Ramachandran for six days starting yesterday under Section 23 of the MACC Act as part of an investigation into alleged misappropriation of funds related to a Thaipusam golden chariot project in 2019.
Ramachandran, when contacted by Scoop, said he has completed providing his statement to MACC, and commended the agency for being professional in handling the matter.
“As far as I’m concerned, not even a dollar has not gone missing.
“To me, this is a ‘master plan’ to stop the golden chariot from running. That’s the main thing. But there is no hanky-panky whatsoever.
“To say it very frankly: I am now in high spirits to fight this nonsense.
“I know who did all this and I would definitely take on them. I am very sure that people will support me,” he said.
Ramachandran, who was also former PHEB executive director, added that “one must be prepared for whatever happens when dealing with dirty politicians”.
According to MACC, its preliminary investigations placed Ramachandran under suspicion, along with former deputy chief minister P. Ramasamy, of misappropriating RM300,000 from PHEB’s special allocations account in 2019 for the procurement of the golden chariot.
Ramasamy had previously served as PHEB chairman at the time.
Earlier, Scoop reported that the High Court here would hear a review next Tuesday (December 10) on the six-day remand imposed on Ramachandran.
Lawyer Roshunraj had requested the review as Ramachandran suffers from diabetes, hypertension, and allergic rhinitis, all of which require specialised medication.
As part of his bail conduction after his release today, Ramachandran is required to report to MACC every month. – December 6, 2024