Saravanan’s RM1.097m Corruption Trial to Begin in March 2027

The Saravanan corruption trial over RM1.097 million allegedly received in connection with foreign worker quota approvals will begin on March 4 next year, the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court fixed on Tuesday (Nov 3), Bernama reported.

Sessions Court Judge Azrul Darus set the dates during case management of the case against former human resources minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.

Saravanan corruption trial dates fixed

According to Bernama, the trial will be heard on March 4, April 12, May 24 to 27, Aug 17 to 19 and Aug 23 to 25, 2027. The dates were fixed with the agreement of both sides, with the defence pressing for the earliest possible start.

The court also directed the defence to file its defence statement by Jan 15, 2027.

Deputy public prosecutor Julaila Jamaludin told the court the prosecution had handed 31 pages of documents to the defence that morning under Section 51A of the Criminal Procedure Code, “paving the way for the defence to file its defence statement”.

Three charges involving RM1.097 million

Saravanan pleaded not guilty on Aug 28 to three charges of receiving gratification as inducements and rewards for approving an application by TYKB Engineering Sdn Bhd for 1,000 foreign worker quotas while he was human resources minister.

He is alleged to have received RM150,000 and RM350,000 in cash from Vectica Resources Sdn Bhd director Tan Teck Lim, 65, through Syed Amirul Syed Ahmad, 38, at Bukit Jalil Golf & Country Resorts and Jalan Telawi 3 in Bangsar on June 16 and July 7, 2022.

The third charge involves RM597,000 allegedly received through a cheque deposited into the account of Big Seven Ventures Sdn Bhd at Maybank Islamic Berhad’s Old Klang Road branch in Taman Desa on July 7, 2022.

All three charges were framed under Section 16(a)(B) of the MACC Act 2009, which Bernama said carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

25 witnesses to be called

The prosecution intends to call 25 witnesses, Bernama reported. Saravanan is represented by Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent.

The Edge Malaysia, which described Saravanan as MIC deputy president, reported that he has stressed he had no personal relationship or connection with Syed Amirul, and that the defence has questioned how the prosecution could prove its case as Syed Amirul, whom it described as one of the prosecution’s main witnesses, has passed away.

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