KUALA LUMPUR — Former human resources minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan has questioned why the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) wants his 12-year-old son to attend its headquarters to receive an asset declaration notice, saying the matter could be handled through him as the child’s father.
Saravanan, in a statement said he would nevertheless comply with the instruction and accompany his son to the MACC headquarters at 9.30am today to receive the notice.
“What does a 12-year-old child even have to do with this? Why put a child through this stress and worry?” he asked.
The issue arose after MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman announced on Friday that the commission would issue asset declaration notices under Section 36 of the MACC Act 2009 to Saravanan, his wife and their three children.
According to MACC, Saravanan, his wife and two of their children were scheduled to attend its headquarters today for the delivery of the notices, while their third child, who is studying in London, would receive the notice in November. The family has been given 30 days to declare their assets, with an extension available upon application if the period is insufficient.
Saravanan said he had no objection to cooperating with the investigation and maintained that he had nothing to hide.
His concern, he said, was the involvement of his 12-year-old son in a process involving a law enforcement agency.
He also criticised Abd Halim for publicly stating that his children were among those required to make asset declarations, saying authorities should exercise greater sensitivity when dealing with minors.
While Section 36 gives MACC powers to require individuals and relevant relatives or associates to provide information for an investigation, Saravanan questioned whether a young child needs to personally appear at an enforcement facility for the purpose of receiving an asset declaration notice.
The concern also raises questions about how such notices should be handled when they involve minors, particularly where the child may not have the same legal capacity as an adult to deal independently with formal legal and financial obligations.
Under the Age of Majority Act 1971, the age of majority in Malaysia is generally 18. A 12-year-old therefore remains a minor.
Saravanan’s position is that any declaration involving assets held in his son’s name could be dealt with through him as the child’s parent or legal guardian, without requiring the child to personally attend MACC headquarters.
He also argued that a child of that age should not be subjected to unnecessary questioning, enforcement procedures or the pressure associated with appearing at a law enforcement facility, particularly when the purpose is related to the family’s asset declaration.
The Child Act 2001 provides a framework for the protection and welfare of children, adding to Saravanan’s argument that authorities should exercise appropriate care and sensitivity when dealing with minors.
However, the existence of these protections does not by itself establish that MACC is legally prohibited from serving an asset declaration notice on a minor or requiring attendance. The specific legal question would depend on the wording and circumstances of the notice and the manner in which MACC seeks to enforce it.
Saravanan stressed that he was not seeking to avoid the asset declaration process.
“I have nothing to hide and I am happy to cooperate,” he said, adding that his only concern was the stress being placed on his young son.
Saravanan previously pleaded not guilty to three charges of accepting bribes totalling RM1.097 million in connection with the approval of 1,000 foreign worker quotas for a company. – September 28, 2026