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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 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 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 Sept 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. - BERNAMA
