Saravanan questions involvement of 12-year-old son in asset declaration order

PUTRAJAYA: MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said he would cooperate with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over an asset declaration order, but questioned why his 12-year-old son had to attend in person to receive the notice.

The former human resources minister arrived at the MACC headquarters here at about 9.15am yesterday with his wife and two of his children to receive notices under Section 36 of the MACC Act 2009.

"Why does a 12-year-old child have to be present? Why put a child in a situation of stress and anxiety?" he told FMT.

Saravanan said that if the MACC's aim was only to identify any assets registered in his son's name, the information could be obtained through the parents or an appropriate representative.

He acknowledged that the commission has wide powers to obtain information from the family members of a person under investigation, but argued that those powers should be exercised with discretion and sensitivity where children are involved.

"I have nothing to hide and I will cooperate with the MACC. My concern is why a 12-year-old child has to go through all this," he said.

Malaysiakini reported that Saravanan's lawyer, R. Thinalan, also questioned the need for the child to attend. He argued that a minor lacks the legal capacity under the Age of Majority Act 1971 to receive such a notice, and that it should instead have been served on the parents as guardians.

No response from the MACC to the objection over the child's attendance has been reported so far.

MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman said on Friday that notices would be issued to Saravanan, his wife and their three children. The family has 30 days to make the declarations and may apply for an extension if needed.

Section 36 of the MACC Act 2009 allows an officer of the rank of commissioner or above to direct a person under investigation, as well as their relatives or associates, to submit a written statement on oath about their assets. Failure to comply with such a notice can be an offence.

Saravanan is facing three bribery charges at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court involving more than RM1 million, linked to the approval of foreign worker quotas while he was human resources minister in 2022. The case is still before the court and no finding has been made against him.