Former human resources minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan speaks to reporters after claiming trial to three corruption charges at the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur on August 28, 2026. — Picture by Raymond Manuel By R. Loheswar First Published: Friday, 28 Aug 2026 12:33 PM MYT KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 — Former human resources minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan today described the corruption charges against him as “wild accusations”, saying he was surprised by the three charges and had no personal relationship with the people named in them.Speaking to reporters after claiming trial to all three charges at the Sessions Court here, the Tapah MP said he would let the facts be brought before the court.Saravanan also appeared to suggest that the charges could be politically motivated.“I was surprised with the charges. I won't say they are baseless; I will say they are wild accusations. The facts will be brought in court.“The important thing is, I have no relation with the people mentioned in court earlier. I don't know them. Except for Syed Amirul, the rest I don't know, and even then, I don't have a personal relationship with Syed Amirul. These will be discussed further in court.“Secondly, if this is your method of trying to bring me down, then send your best candidate to contest me in Tapah. Don't use these sorts of tactics to bring down a politician.“I don't feel ashamed at all, as when the facts come out, you will be embarrassed. The people will see how you tried to accuse me with false evidence,” he added, without specifically naming anyone.Earlier today, Saravanan, 58, pleaded not guilty to three charges of corruptly receiving a total of RM1.097 million in bribes linked to the approval of 1,000 foreign-worker quotas for TYKB Engineering Sdn Bhd.The first charge alleges that he received RM150,000 in cash from Vectica Resources Sdn Bhd director Tan Teck Lim through Syed Amirul Syed Ahmad on June 16, 2022, at Bukit Jalil Golf & Country Resorts.The second charge alleges that he received another RM350,000 in cash from Tan through Syed Amirul on July 7, 2022, at Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar.The third charge alleges that Saravanan received RM597,000 from Tan through Syed Amirul on the same day via a Maybank Islamic cheque deposited into an account belonging to Big Seven Ventures Sdn Bhd.All three charges were framed under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and are punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act.If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in jail and a fine of at least five times the amount or value of the gratification involved, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.Saravanan, who is also MIC deputy president, served as human resources minister from 2020 to 2022.