Saravanan wants graft case management expedited

Former Malaysian Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan is seeking a swift resolution to his graft case, which involves charges of receiving substantial monetary gratifications. During a mention at Sessions Court, he revealed that the prosecution has handed over one volume of documents to the defense, requesting additional time to prepare two more documents.

The prosecution initially aimed for a date at the end of November, but Saravanan and his lawyer requested an earlier date, which the judge agreed upon, setting Nov 3 for re-mention.

Saravanan, MIC deputy president, expressed no intention to delay the proceedings, as his lawyer deemed the defense fully prepared. He clarified that this is not a novel case but one from 2022, implying that all documents should be ready for action against him. Saravanan was charged on Aug 28, 2022, with receiving RM1.097 million in gratifications from Tan Teck Lim, director of Vectica Resources Sdn Bhd, to help secure projects for the HR Ministry.

The gratifications, allegedly given to facilitate Saravanan's approval of foreign worker quotas for TYKB Engineering Sdn Bhd, were given via a cheque deposited into Big Seven Ventures Sdn Bhd.

The offences occurred at a golf club in Bukit Jalil, a bank branch in Taman Desa, and on June 16 and July 7, 2022. If found guilty, Saravanan could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of not less than five times the sum or value of the gratifications, or RM10,000, whichever is greater. The case will be reviewed by judge Azura Alwi, with case management expected to resume on Nov 3.