Ramasamy drops defamation suit against Chow over land sale
GEORGE TOWN : Former Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy has withdrawn his defamation
Former Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy has withdrawn his defamation
suit against chief minister Chow Kon Yeow over the disputed Batu Kawan land deal.
In a consent judgment recorded before sessions judge Helmi Ghani, Ramasamy agreed to accept Chow's explanation that he had chaired two key Penang Development Corporation (PDC) meetings: a sub-committee meeting on Nov 28, 2022, and a board meeting on Feb 9, 2023.
Both meetings dealt with the sale of 226ha of land in Byram, Batu Kawan, to Umech Land Sdn Bhd.
Ramasamy agreed to drop the lawsuit without liberty to file afresh.
Shamsher Singh Thind represented Ramasamy, while Ruebankumar Asokan appeared for Chow.
Separately, PDC also withdrew its defamation suit against Ramasamy. As part of the settlement, he agreed to retract statements made about the agency and to end both suits permanently, with no order as to costs.
Ramasamy initiated defamation proceedings against Chow on July 18 last year over a statement published on the latter's official Facebook page on Oct 3, 2023, which allegedly accused Ramasamy of being involved in approving the land deal and damaged his reputation.
The Batu Kawan land deal involving a 226ha plot, initially sold through a directly negotiated tender, became the subject of controversy due to claims that it was sold below the market value.
PDC initially sold the land to Umech Land for RM646 million.
Following the controversy and a change in Umech Land's majority ownership, PDC cancelled the joint venture agreement and opened the sale of the land through an open tender.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
25 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Saifuddin: National Scam Response Centre moving to Cyberjaya for enhanced coordination
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — The National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) will soon relocate its operations from Kuala Lumpur to Cyberjaya in a bid to enhance coordination, efficiency, and service quality, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced today. Speaking during a briefing, Saifuddin said the relocation scheduled for September 2 or 3 will centralise all key agencies involved in tackling financial and cybercrime under one roof. "The move to Cyberjaya is not just logistical it's strategic," he said. "By co-locating agencies such as the police, Bank Negara, MCMC, NFCC, and newly-added partners like the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) and Securities Commission, we aim to strengthen governance, streamline communication, and modernise our response mechanisms." Currently, the NSRC handles up to 500 calls daily, comprising general inquiries and genuine scam reports. Saifuddin said the center operates the 997 hotline, where victims can seek help in cases of financial scams, including cyber-enabled and cyber-dependent crimes such as phishing and malware attacks. He said this consolidation aligns with broader efforts to combat online scams more effectively and mirrors global trends, where scam-related losses are escalating. "Modern cybercrime requires modern solutions With more room and facilities in Cyberjaya, we can deploy better technology, scale up staff, and ensure 24/7 multilingual support." International collaboration will also be strengthened through Malaysia's participation in conventions like the upcoming Budapest Convention in Vietnam, aimed at improving cross-border cybercrime cooperation. The Home Ministry also plans to increase legislative tools and enforcement capacity, while the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) remains the main coordinating agency for NSRC operations.
Malay Mail
25 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Anwar rolls out Sejahtera Madani scheme to elevate poor households
PUTRAJAYA, 24 July — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today launched the Sejahtera Madani 2025 initiative aimed at improving the wellbeing of poor and hardcore poor households across Malaysia. The programme coordinated by the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) under the Prime Minister's Department and targets beneficiaries registered in the national eKasih database. The ICU said Sejahtera Madani consolidates various forms of government, private sector, and civil society aid into a single, focused approach to poverty reduction. The initiative is based on a 'whole of nation' strategy and introduces four key areas of intervention: income generation, education, housing, and welfare. Through this programme, the government aims to deliver high-impact and sustainable support to eKasih's heads of households and their family members. A total of RM100 million in corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions is expected to be channelled into the People's Wellbeing Fund under the ICU's management. All contributions to the fund will qualify for income tax deductions under Subsection 44(6) of the Income Tax Act 1967, as approved by the Ministry of Finance. As of July 15, 306,403 heads of households are registered in eKasih nationwide, comprising 1,017 hardcore poor and 305,386 poor households. The government aims to reduce the national poverty rate by 33 per cent this year as part of its ongoing commitment to eradicate hardcore poverty.
Malay Mail
25 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Home minister says no firm evidence to show Jho Low in China
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 – Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said authorities have yet to obtain concrete evidence to verify recent reports that fugitive financier Low Taek Jho — better known as Jho Low — is residing and working in China under a false identity. Speaking to reporters today, Saifuddin addressed renewed claims published by international investigative journalists alleging that Low has been using a fake passport and operating freely in China. 'To date, we have not received any solid or verifiable evidence to confirm these reports,' he said 'We take all leads seriously, but there is nothing concrete at this point that we can act upon.' Saifuddin added that Malaysia continues to rely on diplomatic channels and cooperation with foreign intelligence and law enforcement to pursue the case, but noted that the process is complex. 'We need more than media reports, we need official confirmation or cooperation from the country where he is allegedly residing,' he said. Jho Low is the key figure in the massive 1MDB financial scandal and is wanted by multiple jurisdictions, including Malaysia and the United States. Despite numerous sightings and reports over the years, efforts to arrest and extradite him have so far failed. Saifuddin said Malaysia remains committed to locating and apprehending him, but reiterated that international legal cooperation is essential. 'We will continue working with our counterparts but for now, there's no new breakthrough,' he concluded. Reports emerged recently alleging that Jho Low is living in luxury in China under unofficial protection. The report was made by investigative journalists Bradley Hope and Tom Wright.
