KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has clarified that it never served an asset declaration notice on former Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan’s youngest son, who is 12 years old.
MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman also criticised media reports and claims suggesting that the agency had required the child to be physically present at its headquarters on Monday, describing the narrative as inaccurate.
He said the commission had exercised reasonable discretion in deciding not to serve the child with an asset declaration notice.
"I want to inform here regarding the issue of serving the notice to his 12-year-old son, actually our side did not serve the notice to the child.
"Although under the law it is not specifically stated in the legislation regarding the age category (adult or child) for the term relative or associate, we use discretion and the term reasonable, therefore we decided not to serve the notice to his 12-year-old son," he told a press conference held in conjunction with the MACC’s 59th anniversary celebration at its headquarters here today.
On the child’s presence at the MACC headquarters alongside Saravanan and his wife on Monday, Abd Halim stressed that the agency had not instructed or compelled him to attend.
"No, it was not said to come physically (called)... it was more that the parents brought their children.
"Maybe there was no one to leave them at home and so on, so meaning bringing them along is normal," he said, dismissing suggestions that the child had been forced to attend.
Abd Halim also clarified that the asset declaration notices were issued under Section 36(2) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLA), rather than under the MACC Act.
Under the AMLA, individuals are generally given one month to declare their assets after receiving the notice, while an extension may be considered if there are reasonable grounds for the request.
The notices were issued as part of an ongoing investigation into Tapah MP Saravanan, who is facing three corruption charges at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court involving alleged receipt of nearly RM1.09 million in bribes linked to the approval of quotas for 1,000 foreign workers. – October 1, 2026
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