- Former human resources minister M Saravanan has been charged with allegedly receiving over RM1.097 million (US$272,370) in bribes to approve foreign worker quotas.
- Saravanan allegedly received bribes from June to July 2022 while heading the Human Resources Ministry.
- He pleaded not guilty at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to three charges under the country’s anti-graft law.
- Bail was set at RM450,000 with conditions to report to the MACC and not contact witnesses.
- The next court mention is set for Sep 29.
- Saravanan is accused of receiving the money on three occasions to approve applications for a quota of 1,000 foreign workers for Kuala Lumpur-based firm TYKB Engineering Sdn Bhd.
- The three charges were framed under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which carry a maximum 20-year jail term and a fine of not less than five times the bribe amount or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if convicted.
- Saravanan allegedly received RM150,000 (US$37,243) in cash from Vectica Resources Sdn Bhd director Tan Teck Lim through Syed Amirul Syed Ahmad at the Bukit Jalil Golf & Country Resort on Jun 16, 2022.
- The second charge accuses him of receiving another RM350,000 (US$86,902) in cash from Tan, also through Syed Amirul, at Bangsar on Jul 7, 2022.
- The third charge involved RM597,000 (US$148,230), allegedly received from Tan through Syed Amirul, via a Maybank Islamic cheque which was deposited into a Maybank Islamic Bhd account belonging to Big Seven Ventures Sdn Bhd.
Former Malaysian Human Resources Minister M Saravanan faces serious allegations of corruption, having been charged with receiving over RM1 million (US$272,370) in bribes to approve foreign worker quotas for TYKB Engineering Sdn Bhd.1
Saravanan, 58, pleaded not guilty to three charges under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which could lead to a maximum 20-year prison sentence if convicted.3
The charges stem from incidents between June and July 2022, during which he allegedly accepted bribes on three occasions.
The first charge details a payment of RM150,000 (US$37,243) received at the Bukit Jalil Golf & Country Resort on June 16, 2022.8
The second charge involves RM350,000 (US$86,902) received on July 7, 2022, while the third charge cites RM597,000 (US$148,230) received via a cheque deposited into a company account.910
Sessions Court Judge Azura Alwi set bail at RM450,000 and mandated Saravanan to report to the MACC every three months, prohibiting contact with witnesses.4
The next court mention is scheduled for September 29.
“Saravanan, 58, faces three charges under the MACC Act, which carries a maximum 20-year jail term and a fine of at least five times the bribe amount. He was granted bail of RM450,000 and must report to the MACC every three months, with the next court mention set for Sep 29.”
