KUALA LUMPUR: Former human resources minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan (BN-Tapah) has claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to three charges of graft involving more than RM1mil linked to foreign workers approval.
The 58-year-old pleaded not guilty after the charges were read out before Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi here on Friday (Aug 28).
"I understand the charges. I plead not guilty," said Saravanan.
According to the first and second charges, Saravanan allegedly received RM150,000 and RM350,000 in cash from Vectica Resources Sdn Bhd director Tan Teck Lim through one Syed Amirul Syed Ahmad at the Bukit Jalil Golf & Country Resorts and at Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar on June 16, 2022 and July 7, 2022.
For the third charge, Saravanan allegedly received RM597,000 through a cheque from the same person that was deposited into Big Seven Ventures Sdn Bhd bank account at Maybank Jalan Klang Lama, Taman Desa, on July 7, 2022.
The money was said to be a kickback for him in his capacity as the Human Resources Minister to approve 1,000 quota for foreign workers for TYKB Engineering Sdn Bhd.
Saravanan was charged under Section 16(a)(B) of the MACC Act which carries a maximum imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of no less than five times the amount of gratification or RM10,000, if convicted.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Julaila Jamaludin told the court that the accused was charged with a non-bailable offence and it would not object if the court wanted to exercise its discretion in granting bail.
However, the prosecution proposed bail at RM800,000 in one surety and urged the court to impose additional bail conditions.
"The accused must register his attendance to the nearest MACC office and surrender his passport to the court," she said.
Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent objected to the bail, saying that the amount was excessive.
He said bail was not meant to be punitive and proposed RM300,000 instead.
"The accused is determined to clear his name. We have no objections to the additional bail conditions except for the passport issue," he said.
Judge Azura fixed bail at RM450,000 in one surety.
"The accused must report himself at the nearest MACC office to his house, once in three months. The accused is barred from harassing the witnesses," she said.
The case is fixed for mention on Sept 29.
