Saravanan enters court to face foreign worker recruitment corruption charges [WATCH]

Former Malaysian Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan appeared in court on Monday to face corruption allegations related to foreign worker recruitment. The 58-year-old MP, who was dressed in a dark suit, appeared calm as he took his seat in the public gallery, flanked by MIC president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran. The courtroom was packed with Saravanan's supporters, while others were turned away.

The court proceedings, presided over by Judge Azura Alwi, were set to begin at 9am, with only those holding court passes granted entry. The police presence was increased around the court, with access limited to those with business before the court.

Saravanan, the deputy president of the Malaysian Chinese Association and a four-term member of Parliament for Tapah, denies having the authority or involvement in approving foreign worker recruitment. He maintains that neither he nor his family were personally involved in the recruitment process. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim dated August 24, Saravanan claimed that certain individuals were put under pressure to implicate him.

According to the 27-page letter, Saravanan stated that all applications were processed through the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System, with eligible applicants being automatically selected before being referred to the ministry's one-stop centre.