KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri M. Saravanan wants his case to be expedited as he wants to clear his name of graft allegations linked to foreign worker approvals.
"Don't use delaying tactics to smear my name. I am ready to face the court, I am willing to cooperate, just expedite this case," he told reporters outside the High Court here on Friday (Aug 28).
He had earlier claimed trial to three charges of allegedly receiving a total of RM1.1mil in bribes.
The Tapah MP said the accusations against him were "wild allegations" as he claimed that he never knew the people involved.
Asked if the charges against him were politically motivated, Saravanan said spontaneously that "the whole of Malaysia knows".
"I don't have to answer that. I don't know these names, they just appeared," he added.
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His lawyer Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent said that an individual known as Syed Amirul Syed Ahmad, who was named in the charge sheets, had already passed away.
He said there was a statutory declaration involving the witness.
"We will challenge the charges. We will present testimonies to prove that Datuk Seri has no involvement with those named in the charges.
"We will present the testimonies during trial," he said.
Earlier, the atmosphere turned chaotic outside the court complex as Saravanan emerged after posting bail, with a large crowd of supporters around him.
The MIC deputy president was escorted through the crowd as he walked towards newsmen waiting for his press conference.
His supporters chanted "Hidup MIC" and "Hidup Datuk Seri" as he made his way out.
The money he is accused of receiving was allegedly kickbacks for his approval, as the then human resources minister, for 1,000 foreign workers to be hired by TYKB Engineering Sdn Bhd.
