The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) did not issue an asset declaration notice to the 12-year-old son of former Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, its chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman has confirmed.
Abd Halim said the decision was made based on discretion and considerations of reasonableness in the circumstances.
He explained that while the law does not specifically state an age category for individuals covered by the provision, it refers to relatives or associates.
“In the case of the 12-year-old child, we exercised discretion and considered what was reasonable,” he said at a press conference after the MACC’s 59th anniversary celebration in Putrajaya on Thursday.
Abd Halim said MACC had previously issued asset declaration notices to Saravanan, his wife and their children. However, some of the children were unable to attend as they were studying overseas.
“For those who were available, we proceeded with the serving of the notices. But for his 12-year-old child, we did not serve a notice,” he said.
He also clarified that the child’s presence at MACC headquarters, if any, did not mean he had physically attended to receive a notice.
According to Abd Halim, the child was there as a companion to his parents, particularly in circumstances where the parents might otherwise have had to leave their children at home without supervision.
He said the asset declaration notices were issued under Section 36(2) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Countering Financing of Terrorism and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLA), rather than under the MACC Act.
Under the provision, individuals are given one month to submit their asset declarations after receiving a notice. Abd Halim said the period could be extended if there were reasonable grounds for requiring additional time.
On September 28, Saravanan, who is also MIC deputy president, expressed concern after his 12-year-old son was linked to the asset declaration issue.
Saravanan claimed that the situation had caused trauma to his son, who he said no longer wanted to attend school.
