SD shows Saravanan was wrongly implicated - Lawyer
The defence had been informed of Syed Amirul’s death and had also received two statutory declarations (SDs) purportedly made by him.
KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri M. Saravanan’s lawyer claimed that a statutory declaration (SD) indicated that the former human resources minister had been wrongly implicated, leading to three corruption charges involving RM1.097 million being brought against him.
Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent said two SDs, purportedly made by one Syed Amirul Syed Ahmad whose name was mentioned in the charges stated that he had been forced to implicate Saravanan in the case.
It is understood that Syed Amirul died on July 28.
“According to the SDs, Syed Amirul, who is a key witness for the MACC, stated that he had been forced to implicate Datuk Seri (Saravanan) in the matter.
“He stated that there was actually no connection with Datuk Seri. He also stated that he had never communicated with Datuk Seri,” he said.
Geethan said the contents of the SDs would form part of the evidence the defence intends to present during the trial.
Earlier, Saravanan was charged in the Sessions Court, here, with three counts of corruption involving RM1.097 million in connection with the approval of foreign worker quotas.
The 58-year-old MIC deputy president, pleaded not guilty to all three charges after they were read out separately before Judge Azura Alwi.
For the first and second charges, Saravanan was alleged to have corruptly received RM150,000 and RM350,000 in cash respectively from Vectica Resources Sdn Bhd director Tan Teck Lim, 65, through Syed Amirul, 38, at Bukit Jalil Golf & Country Resorts and Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar, on June 16 and July 7, 2022.
The payments were allegedly received as an inducement and reward for Saravanan, in his capacity as Human Resources Minister, to approve an application by TYKB Engineering Sdn Bhd for 1,000 foreign worker quotas.
For the third charge, Saravanan was alleged to have corruptly received RM597,000 from the same individual through a bank cheque deposited into the account of Big Seven Ventures Sdn Bhd for the same purpose at Maybank Islamic Berhad, Old Klang Road branch in Taman Desa here on July 7, 2022.
All three charges were framed under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 [Act 694], punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act, which 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, upon conviction.
Judge Azura allowed Saravanan bail of RM450,000 with one surety for all three charges.
The court set Sept 29, for mention.
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