KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Aug 2026 — Former human resources minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here on Friday to three corruption charges involving RM1.097 million linked to the approval of foreign worker quotas.
Saravanan, 58, who is also MIC deputy president and the Tapah MP, claimed trial after the charges were read separately before Judge Azura Alwi.
He is accused of corruptly receiving the money from Vectica Resources Sdn Bhd director Tan Teck Lim, 65, through Syed Amirul Syed Ahmad, 38, as an inducement and reward to approve, in his capacity as human resources minister, an application by TYKB Engineering Sdn Bhd for 1,000 foreign worker quotas.
On the first charge, Saravanan allegedly received RM150,000 in cash at Bukit Jalil Golf & Country Resort on 16 June 2022.
On the second charge, he allegedly received a further RM350,000 in cash at Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar, on 7 July 2022.
On the third charge, he allegedly received RM597,000 from the same individual through a bank cheque deposited into the account of Big Seven Ventures Sdn Bhd at Maybank Islamic Berhad’s Old Klang Road branch in Taman Desa on 7 July 2022.
All three charges are framed under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act. Upon conviction, the law provides for a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Saravanan had said on Thursday that he would face the charges and maintain his innocence.
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