KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri M. Saravanan vows to clear his name from what he called “wild allegations” of receiving bribes of nearly RM1.1mil linked to foreign workers quota approval when he was human resources minister.
The MIC deputy president had early yesterday claimed trial to three charges amounting to RM1,097,000.
“I understand (the charges). I plead not guilty,” Saravanan said while in the dock at a Sessions Court here.
According to the first and second charges, Saravanan, 58, 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’s 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 then human resources minister to approve a 1,000 quota for foreign workers for TYKB Engineering Sdn Bhd.
The Tapah MP is charged under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) 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 said the accused was charged with a non-bailable offence but said the prosecution would not object if the court wanted to exercise its discretion in granting bail.
She proposed bail at RM800,000 and urged the court to impose additional bail conditions.
“The accused must register his attendance at the nearest MACC office and surrender his passport to the court,” DPP Julaila said.
Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent objected to the bail, saying that the amount was excessive. He 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.
Sessions judge Azura Alwi fixed bail at RM450,000 in one surety.
“The accused must report himself to 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.
Later, the situation was a little chaotic outside the courthouse as Saravanan made his way to meet journalists after posting bail.
A large crowd of his supporters, who wore mostly black as a sign of solidarity, surrounded him while chanting “Hidup MIC” and “Hidup Datuk Seri”.
Saravanan told reporters that he wanted his case to be expedited and to have his day in court.
“Don’t use delay tactics to smear my name. I am ready to face the court, I am willing to cooperate, just expedite this case.” he said.
He said the accusations against him were “wild allegations”.
Geethan Ram said that Syed Amirul Syed Ahmad, who was named in the charge sheets, had passed away. He said Syed Amirul had affirmed a statutory declaration before he died.
“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 before the court, during trial,” he said.
