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Ramasamy’s ‘Sani Peyarchi’
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Monday, December 26, 2011
Ramasamy, having 25 years’ experience of teaching political science, made one blunder after another blunder and refusing to apologize for it. Obviously, teaching and playing real politics must be different.
The issue could have been settled with a simple apology but Ramasamy refused saying he is a “Maanamula Thamilan” (Tamilian with dignity). What is wrong in apologizing when you make mistakes?
Even the beleaguering PAS Selangor EXCO Hassan Ali surprisingly apologized yesterday for his remarks against the party. That did not make Hassan less of a Maanumla Malay or Muslim in his case. Clearly, Hassan is playing politics to avoid giving PAS leadership any grounds to take disciplinary actions.
25 years of teaching political science but Ramasamy does not know the real science of playing politics.
Besides political conspiracy and lack of political acumen, Ramasamy’s trouble could be due to the Hindu’s astronomical belief of ‘Sani Peyarchi’.
According to Hindu pundits, everyone must face bad times for 7.5 years in their life time. There is no escape unless one perform certain pooja (prayers) in Temple.
At Klang Perumal Temple, a long list of people, are doing pooja’s for the last one month so that Sani won’t catch them. It cost only RM 1,500 for the pooja but you have to sit in front of a pyre for a few hours, listen to the priest who utters mantra in Sanskrit and watch him throwing apples and oranges into the pyre.
As a Hindu, Ramasamy should have done this. But of course, Ramasamy wants to be branded as ‘Maanamula Thamilan’ rather than ‘Madath Thamilan’. |
| Rayer describes Ramasamy's statement as self-servient |
GEORGE TOWN, Dec 26 (Bernama) -- Seri Delima assemblyman RSN Rayer has described the statement issued by DAP deputy secretary-general P. Ramasamy, who attacked the party and its highest leadership, as being a self-servient act.
He said Ramasamy's statement claimed that criticisms directed at him (Ramasamy) were intended to topple him from the position of Penang's deputy chief minister 11.
"I'm very saddened the deputy chief minister 11 made such a statement, that DAP members practised such behaviour. It's an attack on the party and its members," he said.
"The news report shows he has no respect whatsoever for the party leadership, including advisor Lim Kit Siang, secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and life advisor Dr Chen Man Hin. It also shows his arrogance," said Rayer at a press conference here, today.
On Dec 24, DAP national chairman Karpal Singh told Ramasamy to resign as Penang's deputy chief minister 11 for defying the DAP Central Executive Committee's (CEC) directive barring members from making open statements attacking the party's leadership.
Karpal Singh reportedly said Ramasamy's statement, claiming his critics were conspiring to oppose him for not fulfilling their requests for projects and special privileges, clearly defied the CEC directive.
Ramasamy's action sparked off a quarrel and, when the Perai assemblyman also announced candidates for the next general election, an infuriated Karpal Singh warned him not to behave like a "warlord" and choose whom he liked.
Ramasamy retorted by calling Karpal Singh DAP's "godfather", which made Rayer and Bagan Dalam DAP assemblyman A. Tanasekharan to join the fray by siding Karpal Singh.
Meanwhile, Rayer denied he requested for projects and privileges from Ramasamy, even though his name was not mentioned in the report of a newspaper, saying he was responding to queries from various parties.
"There are queries on the Internet and Twitter as to why I've not responded until today, whereas Karpal Singh and Tanasekharan have answered. I vehemently deny the allegation and it can be verified by my staff who know all our expenditure," he said.
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The Star, Monday December 26, 2011
Report based on interview with DCM Dr Ramasamy
GEORGE TOWN: The Star stands by the article written based on an interview with Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy on Dec 21 by our journalist Ian McIntyre.
The interview was arranged and agreed upon by Dr Ramasamy on two counts; one is about allegations of poor governance including about him having an extra-marital affair and secondly, his take on issues confronting the Indian community.
The allegations were made against him by some Indian DAP grassroots activists here.
“As a responsible journalist, I cannot disclose the identity of these activists, as they related their problems to me in good faith and confidence.
“I felt that the interview was necessary as it would give an opportunity for Dr Ramasamy to air his side to the allegations made against him,” said Mcintyre.
The interview took place at Dr Ramasamy's office located on the 51st floor of Komtar.
Mcintyre said it was a cordial get-together as all of them (including two journalists from Malaysiakini) have interacted with each other in the past on friendly terms.
“When I raised the allegations, Dr Ramasamy responded swiftly, saying he heard about it and there was no truth to them,” Mcintyre said.
He proceeded to outline the allegations made by the grassroots, describing them as senseless.
McIntyre also recalled Dr Ramasamy as saying: “There are only three or four of these grassroots members unless you want to count earth worms as grassroots.”
“I think you would be astounded if I relate to you some of their demands.”
He might not have uttered the word “grand design” but said that some quarters might be conspiring to oust him ever since he was appointed to head the (state) Hindu Endowment Board, said McIntyre.
Dr Ramasamy reiterated a few times throughout the interview that the issue was not about the warlord-godfather squabble with DAP chairman Karpal Singh, but it was mostly on the allegations made against him and on the plight of poor Indians.
The Star would also like to point out that when Dr Ramasamy called on the morning of Dec 23 to clarify some points, it was immediately uploaded onto the online edition which he himself agreed was “fine”.
Dr Ramasamy was quoted in some online portals on Monday as saying that his row with DAP chairman Karpal Singh was due to the reports in The Star.
He denied at a press conference Monday that he ever accused DAP grassroots leaders of being corrupt.
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Ramasamy blames The Star for latest row with Karpal
By Lisa J. Ariffin, themalaysianinsider.com
December 26, 2011
Ramasamy said the reporter had promised a retraction, but did not deliver one. — File pic
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 26 — Deputy Penang Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy blamed The Star today for his protracted row with DAP chairman Karpal Singh, and denied he ever accused DAP grassroots leaders of being corrupt as was reported by the newspaper.
“I categorically reject the allegations... The allegations against me that appeared... are baseless and frivolous,” Ramasamy told reporters today at a press conference here.
“I have never made these statements against DAP leaders and the reporter himself felt that injustice has been done to me.”
On December 23, The Star reported Ramasamy as hitting out at his critics for their “grand design” to oust him.
The newspaper said his remarks came despite the party’s stand that the “godfather-warlord” feud between Ramasamy and Karpal had been resolved on December 15.
Ramasamy claimed his critics were plotting against him because he did not respond to their overtures for projects and favours, The Star had reported.
This had resulted in Karpal demanding that the Penang deputy chief minister II resign from his post for making allegations against party leaders.
Karpal said Ramasamy’s position was no longer tenable in the state government because he had defied a directive from the party’s three-member committee not to talk about their spat to the press.
Today, Ramasamy denied making the allegations that were reported in The Star.
“He (the reporter) promised to put a retraction or counter-statement on the same day on the publication’s online version. However, (the next day) the statement was reduced to one sentence in the article ‘Prof Changes His Tune Again’,” Ramasamy said.
“On the same day, DAP chairman Karpal Singh called a press conference to ask for my resignation as the DCM of Penang,” he added.
Ramasamy said the discussion with The Star reporter and another journalist from an unnamed online publication was on how Penang could go forward, with particular attention paid to the Indian community.
“In fact, the other online reporter checked her notes and confirmed that I never uttered the words about DAP leaders,” he said.
When asked to comment on Karpal’s call for his resignation, Ramasamy said he had no comment on the matter.
“Let the party deal with it, it’s a party matter.”
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'Godfather-warlord' spat resolved, Ramasamy |
Friday December 23, 2011clarifies By IAN MCINTYRE, The Star |
GEORGE TOWN: DAP deputy secretary-general Dr P. Ramasamy said his feud with Karpal Singh over the "godfather-warlord" issue has been resolved.
"I do not want to harp on the past. We are going to be facing a general election and I want DAP members to close ranks," he said Friday.
Dr Ramasamy, who is Penang Deputy Chief Minister II, was responding to a report in The Star that the internal problems in the party were simmering and might escalate.
"I respect the decision of the central executive committee to put an end to the dispute. I have given my word to DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang that the matter is now closed," he said. |
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Friday December 23, 201 The Star
Distress in DAP continues1
GEORGE TOWN: The internal problems in the DAP are still simmering and may likely escalate with party deputy secretary-general Dr P. Ramasamy hitting out at his critics for their “grand design” to oust him.
This is despite the party's stand that the “godfather-warlord” feud between Dr Ramasamy and party national chairman Karpal Singh had been resolved on Dec 15.
Dr Ramasamy, who is Penang Deputy Chief Minister II, claimed his critics were plotting against him because he did not respond to their overtures for projects and favours.
“I think people will be astounded if I reveal what some grassroots leaders are demanding of me,” the former academician said in an interview.
“Everything is transparent with a tender system to prevent corruption.”
He said they had even alleged that he kept a mistress, was poorly managing the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (of which he is the chairman) and “colluding” with former MIC leaders.
“They are now conspiring to invoke a grand design to oust me,” he said.
“Some are doing this to lobby for seats in the upcoming election.”
Dr Ramasamy said he knew the mastermind behind the attempts to undermine him.
“I challenge my critics to spell out their charges specifically instead of distorting facts.
“I will not be cowed and respond to silly innuendoes and intimidation.
“I will lead based on what I know best which is to be fair to every community.”
Laughing at claims that he had a mistress, Dr Ramasamy maintained that he has been “happily married since 1981”.
“My wife is a homemaker and my three children are abroad. She is bored at home and will often accompany me during my official duties.
“She is fully aware of all the allegations levelled against me, including about the mistress.”
Ramasamy sacks aide over assault allegation
Penang Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) II P Ramasamy is embroiled in another crisis, this time involving a member of his staff who has allegedly assaulted a colleague in the state government.
Satees Muniandy has been sacked with immediate effect as Ramasamy’s special assistant.
Ramasamy expressed "sadness" as Satees (right) is a young and enthusiastic worker.
"The matter is beyond my control. But I had to take immediate action after receiving the report (today)," he said when contacted in Kuala Lumpur where he has official duties.
"The termination letter has been prepared and he has been told to pick it today (from my office).”
It is learnt that Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has contacted Ramasamy about this.
Ramasamy has spoken to Satees to "get his side of the story", as well as to the complainant who is an employee of the Chief Minister’s Office.
It is believed that the two had quarreled earlier today at the state government office in Komtar.
The complainant lodged a report alleging assault at the Northeast Police District Department about 2pm, and then sought medical treatment at the Penang Hospital.
She does not wish to be identified or to provide details of the incident.
When contacted, Satees confirmed that he had spoken to Ramasamy and would leave his post today.
He said the incident involves "a personal problem but it was not assault".
Satees was also publicity officer for the Prai constituency and the DCM's Office.
‘Incident not related to politics’
Ramasamy denied that the incident is related to politics or to the recent spat between him and DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh about ‘godfathers’ and ‘warlords’ in the party.
Satees had been one of Ramasamy's strongest supporters while this episode had played out.
Ramasamy said he is always trying to ensure that his staff improve in their performance and respond tactfully to issues affecting the Indian Malaysian community, which is one of his portfolios.
He said he is not defending any of his employees but admitted that his team is under tremendous pressure as they have to operate the service centres in Prai and Batu Kawan.
“Never before the community has such a service. Many people come to see us on a daily basis. They come from Kedah or Perlis, and most of the problems are (related to welfare needs)," he added.
"Some need immediate attention. Sometimes it is beyond our capacity to deal with this, so the pressure mounts every day.”
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| Be a better leader, critics tell Ramasamy |
| Hawkeye | December 20, 2011 , FMT |
BUTTERWORTH: A group of DAP grassroots leaders have asked Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy to review his leadership skills, claiming that he appears detached from problems plaguing the Indian community.
The group consists of veteran and young members of branches within the mainland parliamentary constituencies of Bagan, Bukit Mertajam and Batu Kawan. They are all Indians, but they preferred not to be named out of respect for the peace deal that DAP has worked out to end Ramasamy’s open spat with party chairman Karpal Singh.
In separate interviews with FMT, they said Indians in the state had benefited little from Penang’s achievements since DAP took the reins of the state administration in 2008. As a result, they added, many Indians who voted for Pakatan Rakyat candidates in the last election were now reverting to Barisan Nasional.
Several of them said Ramasamy probably meant well, but was hampered by inexperience, ignorance or the lack support from his aides. They said some of the aides appeared ignorant and arrogant to the grassroots.
They complained that the state had yet to fulfil some of its promises to the Indian community.
“Where is the macro-economic master plan for Penang Indians?” said one.
They alleged that state agencies had not given enough jobs to Indians or provided them with affordable housing.
“Indians are unable to shake off their perception of feeling marginalised. Our graduates do not feel welcome in state-linked companies or in the public sector.”
They said BN parties were taking advantage of the situation. One of the critics cited the case of a young graduate who managed to get a job with a state agency only after seeking the intervention of a MCA divisional leader.
Another critic acknowledged that Ramasamy’s office did provide funds to Tamil schools but said the officials seemed unaware that some parent-teacher associations had channelled the money to MIC-linked functions.
Agenda at work
Ramasamy charged back at his critics, denouncing them for taking their complaints to the press before consulting him.
He said his door was always open for anyone to voice out grievances, particularly with regard to Indian interests.
“Come and see me. If I do not entertain you despite the validity of your complaint, then go and complain to the media. Instead, some have spoken to the media first. It shows an agenda at work.”
He acknowledged that Penang Indians faced plenty of problems, but said these were the result of decades of neglect by former state administrations.
“The plight of the poor and marginalised cannot be overcome immediately. It takes time, but it would be hindered if people continue to obstruct efforts to rehabilitate the community.”
He said his critics were lying when they said qualified Indians could not get jobs with state-linked agencies. He said he had found jobs for “hundreds of Indians”.
He said the scope of his duties was wide and included handling the plight of Indians in southern Kedah and northern Perak besides the 40 state constituencies in Penang.
He urged Indians to work together to improve their lot, including seeking input from civic organisations |
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First it's cronyism, now race creeps in
By Sharanjit Singh, NST, Dec 22 2011
Penang deputy CM's disciplinary hearing will show how DAP handles its 'godfather-warlord' conflict
THE Penang DAP is in for turbulent times as the race for positions in the party heats up, with allegations of cronyism being hurled against state leaders.
The attempt to put a lid on the simmering feud between two top leaders in the state has been disrupted by protests, including one in Klang, Selangor, over the weekend.
The latest protest by a group of about 15 people was not widely reported, but what they did definitely had an explosive effect.
The group, claiming to represent three Indian non-governmental organisations, had gathered to demand an apology from Seri Delima assemblyman R.S.N. Rayer and Bagan Dalam assemblyman A. Tanasekharan.
They claimed that the duo had offended Penang Deputy Chief Minister P. Ramasamy by alleging that he had begged for the post.
Pertubuhan Naam Tamilar Malaysia chairman G. Ramesh reportedly said Rayer should retract his statement and apologise as his comments had affected the integrity of the Tamil people.
They also burnt a picture of Rayer before dispersing.
What happened in Klang has infuriated party leaders, who are concerned that racial and ethnic politics are being dragged into the spat involving Ramasamy, Rayer, Tanasekharan and also party chairman Karpal Singh.
"The issue concerning Penang DAP leaders has got nothing to do with race or ethnicity, but we are suddenly finding it being turned into one," said a party insider.
Party insiders also said many leaders were taken aback by the sudden rise to prominence of an unknown woman lawyer. She is now a commissioner in the state Hindu Endowment Board.
Those present at the recent Penang DAP convention would recall how even Karpal seemed to be at a loss at why the woman was being actively promoted.
"Who is this Mangleswari?" he thundered in his speech.
Karpal was referring to K. Mangleswari, who is also among three women named by Ramasamy as potential DAP candidates for the coming election. It seems that Karpal's attack on Mangleswari has opened a can of worms within the Indian community.
Members and state elected representatives are seeking answers regarding the creeping culture of cronyism in the state DAP.
Sources say Ramasamy is set to come under the hammer on the Mangleswari issue as well as his infamous statement that "godfathers in the DAP must be gotten rid of" -- an obvious reference to senior leaders like Karpal.
Karpal had made it clear that he had no issue on being referred to as a "godfather", but it was the other part of Ramasamy's statement which got under his skin.
"It is clear-cut insolence for Ramasamy to even suggest that the party forget the contributions of a leader like Karpal to the DAP.
"That is why the whole issue exploded and Ramasamy must now be prepared to answer why he has been acting like a warlord," a source said.
DAP leaders are worried that such issues are cropping up at a crucial stage when the party should be concentrating on the bigger battle ahead.
It is common knowledge that some incumbents are trying to hold on to their seats while new faces go all out to be selected by getting close to certain leaders.
It remains to be seen how the party leadership is going to handle the issue, but some clues will be forthcoming when the disciplinary committee sits to hear out a complaint against Ramasamy, and more are expected to be filed soon.
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| Rayer demands Ramasamy apologise and retract remarks |
Tuesday December 27, 2011, The Star
By ZALINAH NOORDIN |
GEORGE TOWN: Sri Delima assemblyman R. S. N. Rayer has demanded that Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy apologise and retract accusations that his critics have asked for projects and favours from him.
He said the allegations had tarnished the party’s image.
“If there are DAP leaders asking for projects and favours, then how different are we from certain other parties?
“It means that we are also corrupt. The public will have a bad impression about us,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.
Rayer, who is also Penang DAP Socialist Youth vice-chairman, challenged Dr Ramasamy to reveal the names of those who had asked for projects and favours.
“I have never asked for any project for myself. My special assistant L. Prem Anand, who is also a Penang municipal councillor, can vouch for this,” he said.
Rayer also challenged Dr Ramasamy to reveal the names of the grassroots leaders who had made demands to him.
“He should report the matter to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission,’’ he said.
He said Dr Ramasamy’s claim could erode the public’s confidence in DAP and contradict the state government’s CAT (competency, accountability and transparency) principles.
“In the first place, why are people asking for favours and projects from him?
“Does this mean he has promised people those things? If that’s the case, then his style is no different from leaders in certain parties and this goes against CAT principles,” said Rayer. |
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Chua: Name-calling in DAP not entirely wrong
The Star
PENANG: The MCA has taken a dig at the ongoing spat between veteran DAP leader Karpal Singh and deputy secretary-general Dr P. Ramasamy, saying the name calling by them was not entirely wrong.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said as a veteran leader, Karpal would have many followers who regarded him as a "godfather", but to many others outside the DAP, he was regarded as a "warlord."
He said Dr Ramasamy had been appointed Deputy Chief Minister II following his election as a state assemblyman and Member of Parliament because of the wave of antagonism against the Barisan Nasional in 2008.
"The fact is that Ramasamy is a novice in politics compared to Karpal, who has done his part in building up his party," Dr Chua.
He predicted that Dr Ramasamy, a former Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia lecturer, would not be able to survive if "left on his own."
On Monday, Dr Ramasamy denied making allegations of a grand design to oust him and claimed the allegations attributed to him in The Star were baseless and frivolous. |
| Dr Ramasamy’s special assistant denies assaulting a colleague |
| Tuesday December 20, 2011 --
GEORGE TOWN: Satees Muniandy, the special assistant to Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy, is believed to have been asked to resign after he allegedly assaulted a female employee attached to the Chief Minister’s Office.
However, Satees maintained that he had quit on his own accord due to personal reasons.
“I did not assault anyone,” he stressed.
He said that he had resigned “with an open heart” and that Dr Ramasamy would “always be his boss”.
“I went to Dr Ramasamy’s office to hand in my resignation letter at about 5pm,” said Satees.
Satees, who is one of Dr Ramasamy’s strongest supporters, had stood up for his boss during Dr Ramasamy’s bitter spat with DAP chairman Karpal Singh and other leaders.
Dr Ramasamy’s private secretary P. Jayabalan announced yesterday that Satees had resigned from his post with immediate effect.
“He is no longer authorised to deal in any matter relating to Dr Ramasamy’s office,” he said in a two-paragraph statement.
George Town OCPD Asst Comm Gan Kong Meng said police would call up a 26-year-old man to facilitate investigations into the alleged assault which happened at Jalan Tun Syed Sheikh Barakbah at the Esplanade yesterday morning.
He said a 24-year-old woman lodged a report at the Beach Street police station shortly after the incident, alleging she was slapped by the man.
“The woman suffered a cut on her lips after the man allegedly threw her handbag at her,” he said.
It is learnt that the man and woman had argued about their relationship.
Dr Ramasamy could not be reached for comment.
An online news portal had quoted Dr Ramasamy as saying the matter was beyond his control.
He had expressed his sadness, saying Satees was a young and enthusiastic worker.
Dr Ramasamy denied the incident was related to the spat between him and Karpal.
On Dec 8, Satees was embroiled in a controversy when he tweeted the alleged misdeeds of two DAP assemblymen who had attacked Dr Ramasamy over his “godfather” remarks made against Karpal.
He later denied that his tweets had referred to any DAP or Pakatan Rakyat leaders. |
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