KUALA LUMPUR – Supporters of former minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan have expressed their solidarity with him ahead of his expected appearance at the Sessions Court here tomorrow.
A flyer circulated by his supporters stated that they stood in solidarity with Saravanan, who is expected to face a corruption charge under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.
The former minister is believed to be facing a charge under Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009, which covers offences involving the solicitation, acceptance, giving, promising or offering of gratification.
If convicted, an offence under Section 16 is punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act, with a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the gratification involved, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
In a media invitation issued today, MACC said it had obtained consent to prosecute a former minister, but did not disclose the individual’s identity or provide details of the charges.
It remains unclear whether the charge against Saravanan is linked to a 2023 MACC investigation involving a businessman with a “Datuk” title.
Further details on the case and the alleged offence are expected to emerge when proceedings begin tomorrow.
The expected charge comes a day after former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was charged at the Sessions Court here for allegedly failing to declare assets, including RM14.7 million in cash, millions in foreign currencies and five gold bars.
Ismail Sabri, 66, who is the Bera Member of Parliament, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read before Judge Suzana Hussin.
According to the charge, he allegedly provided a written statement that failed to comply with a notice issued under Section 36(1)(a) of the MACC Act 2009 (Act 694), dated Jan 7, 2025.
The notice, served by an MACC officer on Jan 10, 2025, required him to declare specified assets, which he allegedly failed to do.
The assets listed in the charge included RM14,772,150, SGD6,132,350, USD1,461,400, CHF3 million, EUR12,164,150, JPY363 million, GBP50,250, NZD44,600, AED34.75 million, AUD352,850, as well as five Suisse Fine Gold bars.
The alleged offence was committed at the MACC headquarters at No. 2, Lebuh Wawasan, Precinct 7, Putrajaya, on Feb 7, 2025.
The charge was framed under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009, which carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to RM100,000 upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Farah Ezlin Yusop Khan led the prosecution, while Ismail Sabri was represented by lawyer Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad. – August 27, 2027