KUALA LUMPUR: Former Human Resources Minister, Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, was charged in the Sessions Court here today with three counts of corruption involving RM1.097 million in connection with the approval of foreign worker quotas.
Saravanan, 58, who is also MIC’s Deputy President, pleaded not guilty to all three charges after they were read out separately before Judge Azura Alwi.
For the first and second charges, Saravanan was alleged to have corruptly received RM150,000 and RM350,000 in cash respectively from Vectica Resources Sdn Bhd’s Director Tan Teck Lim, 65, through Syed Amirul Syed Ahmad, 38, at Bukit Jalil Golf & Country Resorts and Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar, on June 16 and July 7, 2022.
The payments were allegedly received as an inducement and reward for Saravanan, in his capacity as Human Resources Minister, to approve an application by TYKB Engineering Sdn Bhd for 1,000 foreign worker quotas.
For the third charge, Saravanan was alleged to have corruptly received RM597,000 from the same individual through a bank cheque deposited into the account of Big Seven Ventures Sdn Bhd for the same purpose at Maybank Islamic Berhad, Old Klang Road branch in Taman Desa here on July 7, 2022.
All three charges were framed under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 [Act 694], punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act, which provides for a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
Judge Azura allowed Saravanan bail of RM450,000 with one surety for all three charges.
The court also imposed additional conditions that he report to the nearest Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office every three months until the trial is concluded, and that he must not interfere with prosecution witnesses either directly or through third parties.
The court set September 29 for case mention.
Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor, Julaila Jamaludin, said the charges under Section 16(a)(B) of the MACC Act 2009 were non-bailable offences, but did not object to the court exercising its discretion to grant bail pending disposal of the case.
“The prosecution proposes bail of RM800,000 with one Malaysian surety,” she said.
Julaila said the higher the accused’s standing in society, the higher the bail amount should be, as the case would attract extensive media coverage, particularly as it involved a public figure.
“The accused is a well-known figure. Therefore, the bail amount should reflect the seriousness of the offences he is charged with,” she said, adding that the proposed bail amount and additional conditions were neither punitive nor excessive.
Julaila also highlighted the risk of the Tapah MP absconding, taking into consideration the charges and the penalties provided by law.
“Although at this stage there is no indication that any prosecution witness has been approached or intimidated, as an influential politician, the accused has the opportunity to interfere with or influence witnesses.
“Therefore, a high bail amount with stringent conditions is important as a reminder to the accused not to do so,” she said.
Lawyer Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent, representing Saravanan, argued that the RM800,000 bail proposed by the prosecution was unreasonable and excessive.
He said the amount cited in the charges should not be used as the basis for determining bail, and urged the court to take into account his client’s full cooperation throughout the MACC investigation.
“The accused is married and his wife is also a Malaysian citizen with roots in Malaysia.
“The accused, who has been a member of parliament since 2008, is determined to clear his name and his appearance in court today demonstrates his commitment to facing the charges,” he said.
Geethan also asked the court not to impound his client’s passport as Saravanan needed to undergo regular medical treatment at a hospital in Chennai, India.
He also said Saravanan, who is Indian Artists Foundation’s Chairman, was frequently invited abroad in an official capacity and posed no risk of absconding or interfering with witnesses.
“A bail amount of RM300,000 is sufficient to ensure the accused’s attendance in court and we do not object to the other two additional conditions,” Geethan said.
Julaila was assisted by Deputy Public Prosecutors, Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib and P. Rubini, while the defence team also comprised lawyers, Lavinia Raja and Jeremiah Anand.
Saravanan’s wife, Datin Seri V. Kavitha, and MIC’s President, Tan Sri S. A. Vigneswaran, were also present for the proceedings.
Saravanan, dressed in a black suit, paid the RM450,000 bail. – BERNAMA
