Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy has refused to withdraw his allegations against MIC on the demolition of farms in Cameron Highlands, Pahang.

“Unlike MIC clowns who like to shoot from their hip, I have done some research on the area where the farms were located. In this sense, I have facts with me.

“I am prepared for MIC’s legal challenge for nothing gives me more pleasure than to fight for the legitimate rights of the farmers,” he added in a Facebook posting this afternoon.

The DAP assemblyperson was responding to MIC secretary-general M Asojan, who demanded Ramasamy (above) to retract his allegations in an article published in Malaysiakini yesterday, failing which, a defamation suit would be filed. 

“The article directly depicts MIC deceived the farmers to withdraw the interim injunction they had obtained earlier against the Pahang government’s evacuation orders by convincing the farmers that MIC would ensure an amicable solution to their woes.

“We would like to state unequivocally that MIC had no part in the farmers withdrawing the injunction on Sept 30. We have evidence from one of the farmers who filed the case and later withdrew the injunction on their own accord without any interference by MIC," he added.

Asojan (photo), who described Ramasamy's allegations as a "bald-faced blatant lie", also alleged that it was the latter's "instigation and power craze" that led to the current situation.

Responding to this, Ramasamy asked: “How could 'my instigation and power craze' contribute to the demolition of the farms, 11 in the first phase and nearly 40 in the second phase on Dec 23, 2019?

“If Pakatan Harapan leaders had not intervened in the earlier phase, all the farms would have been demolished.

“Earlier, there were no MIC leaders present when some of us were involved in the protest against the demolition. Without our presence, the Pahang government would not have waited so long,” he added.

Ramasamy also claimed to possess sufficient evidence to “indicate the nefarious role played by some MIC leaders” in coaxing the farmers to withdraw the interim injunction.

“I don't think that the farmers made an independent decision to withdraw the matter without the intervention and promise of some MIC leaders that an amicable or 'win-win' solution could be worked out with Pahang state government.

“Asojan can say what he wants after a terrible blow was inflicted on the farmers with the demolition of the farms that they had invested time and money in for nearly 60 years,” he added.

Ramasamy also accused MIC of not having the courage to stand up to Umno leaders on this matter and therefore needed a scapegoat.

“Lacking the elementary guts in standing up to the Umno leaders, they are venting their frustration against me and Harapan leaders.

“It is not me who gave orders for the demolition, not my instigation or power craze, but the vendetta engaged by the BN leaders against the farmers who were mainly Harapan supporters,” he added.

Welcoming the defamation suit, Ramasamy reminded Asojan that the ultimate defence against defamation is the truth.

“Let us see on whose side the truth shall prevail,” he added.