Saravanan claims trial to three corruption charges involving RM1.097m, granted RM450,000 bail

Former Malaysian human resources minister Datuk Seri M Saravanan appeared at Kuala Lumpur's Sessions Court on Aug 28, 2026, to enter a plea of not guilty to three charges of accepting bribes totaling RM1.097 million. The charges stem from alleged payments of RM150,000, RM350,000, and RM597,000, allegedly received from Tan Teck Lim, director of Vectica Resources Sdn Bhd, through Syed Amirul Syed Ahmad.

The prosecution claims the funds were provided as inducements to Saravanan, who was then the human resources minister, to approve applications for 1,000 foreign-worker quotas for TYKB Engineering Sdn Bhd. The alleged bribes were received in cash at two different locations in July and June 2022.

Saravanan, 58, who represents the Tapah constituency, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to RM10,000 per bribe, whichever is greater. The Deputy Public Prosecutor suggested bail at RM800,000 with one local surety, but Judge Azura Alwi set bail at RM450,000 instead. Saravanan was ordered to report to the nearest MACC office every three months and refrain from contacting witnesses.