Former human resources minister M Saravanan has questioned the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) decision to require his 12-year-old son to appear at its headquarters over an asset declaration notice.
Speaking to FMT, Saravanan said the notice could have been served through him as the child’s parent instead of requiring his son to attend the anti-graft agency in person.
“Why does a 12-year-old child even have to show up? Why put a child through this stress and worry?” he said.
The MIC deputy president said he would nevertheless attend MACC headquarters at 9.30am on Monday.
Saravanan questioned whether the commission had considered the sensitivity of involving a child in the process, particularly if the purpose was simply to determine whether any assets were held in the child’s name.
“If the purpose is simply to establish whether there are assets held in the child’s name, why can’t that information be provided through the parents or an appropriate representative?” he said.
He acknowledged that MACC has broad powers to obtain information from relatives of individuals under investigation, but argued that such powers should be exercised with discretion and sensitivity, especially when minors are involved.
Under Section 36(1)(b) of the MACC Act 2009, an officer of the commission holding the rank of commissioner or above may, where there are reasonable grounds to believe property is held or acquired in connection with an offence under the Act, require a relative or associate of the person under investigation to provide a written statement under oath or affirmation.
The provision also allows MACC to issue notices requiring individuals to declare their assets, while failure to comply with a written notice can constitute an offence.
Saravanan stressed that he had no objection to declaring his own assets and would cooperate with the investigation.
“I have nothing to hide and I will cooperate with MACC. My concern is why a 12-year-old child needs to be put through this,” he said.
MACC chief commissioner Abd Halim Aman said on Friday that the commission would issue notices to Saravanan, his wife and their three children requiring them to declare their assets.
The family will have 30 days to submit the declarations, with an extension available if required.
