Cops probing PPR ‘scam’, to quiz deputy minister

The police have opened three separate case files concerning the scam which involved the alleged selling of PPR flats. MIC leader M Saravanan has been implicated.

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have launched multiple investigations into a scam purportedly involving Deputy Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister M Saravanan.

The scam concerned the alleged selling of Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) low-cost flats on behalf of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), which falls under the purview of Saravanan’s ministry.

Sources close to the investigations told FMT that three separate case files have been opened, including one by the Bukit Aman federal police.

The case had been classified as cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail-term between one and 10 years, whipping and fine.

It is understood that the police recorded statements from several complainants and were currently interviewing more victims and witnesses.

“We received four reports alleging that one man is responsible for informing 41 different buyers that PPR flats are open for purchase and they needed to pay RM35,000 for the units and an additional RM10,000 as ‘back door’ payment to obtain the houses,” said a source.

“However, the same individual had also lodged a report naming Saravanan,” he added.

A check by FMT check revealed that the previous reports had also mentioned that the deputy minister was allegedly behind the dealings.

Asked if the police’s main suspect was the individual or the deputy minister, the source said that it was too “premature to say who is the suspect”.

However, he said the police would definitely need to record a statement from Saravanan.

“We are investigating this thoroughly. We would of course take statements from the deputy minister since he has been named… Datuk or no Datuk, whoever is wrong, must be brought to justice,” he added.

FMT also learnt that Saravanan had lodged a police report early last week denying any involvement in the alleged scam and urging the police to “investigate those involved”.

He also denied possessing a Facebook account as one of the reports against him claimed that Saravanan had been using the social networking site to negotiate the deal.

Saravanan: ‘They have political agendas’

When contacted, city deputy police chief Amar Singh confirmed that a report was lodged by the deputy minister on Oct 3 but declined to provide any details.

“Police are investigating the matter, I don’t think we can tell you against whom (the report was lodged), let us investigate the report,” he said.

On his latest police report, Saravanan told FMT that he did not want to publicise the matter or alert anyone.

“Why should I (tell you what’s the content of my report)? The matter is with the police and they are acting very fast,” he told FMT.

Saravanan claimed that those behind the allegations had political agendas. “Election is around the corner, I face this every time.”

Last week, Saravanan had cautioned the public against individuals claiming to be agents for the sale of PPR houses.

“I received two reports of individuals using forged documents and my name, as well as the names of several DBKL officers, to collect money purportedly to help them secure the purchase of PPR housing units in Kuala Lumpur,” he had said.

Saravanan added that DBKL had never appointed anyone to act on its behalf in the purchase of PPR houses.

FMT first broke the story on the deputy minister being accused of masterminding a scam to “sell” PPR flats. Over 40 people were allegedly cheated of some RM350,000.

Complainant had met deputy minister

In his police report, insurance manager M Vagindraj @ Christopher Raj Mohan had alleged that Saravanan had corresponded with him via Facebook.

He alleged that Saravanan asked him to be an “agent” to help sell the PPR flats.

Saravanan, Vagindraj claimed, asked him to get downpayments for the flats and bank in the money into the account of a DBKL officer, described as Saravanan’s trusted man, known only as Aru.

He said a total of 41 buyers had given RM357,000 but he later realised that he was swindled when both Saravanan and Aru cut off all communication with him.

The buyers never received their houses.

In the report, Vagindraj said MIC Cheras division chairman Peru Karrupan had helped arrange a meeting with Saravanan over the matter. Saravanan had also confirmed meeting the complainant.

Meanwhile, Peru told FMT that he was not involved in the alleged scam.

“Frankly, I have nothing to do with this story. If I wanted to make money I’d be smarter than this. This is stupid. Let God be the judge,” he said.

Peru said he merely arranged a meeting between Vagindraj and Saravanan when the former had complained to him about the issue.

“I was simply helping someone as a MIC man as my leader’s name was implicated. But I told him also, ‘why would people just call you and ask you to bank in money for this kind of houses?’ I scolded him for what he did,” he said, adding that he knew the complainant’s father.

Asked about the details of the meeting, Peru said that he could not recall much as he was not paying attention.

“It was something to do with him (Vagindraj) asking about the houses… he wanted to find out if its true or not…,” he added.

Peru also said that it was unlikely for a deputy minister to be involved in such a scam and therefore this allegation “should not be entertained”.

Asked if he knew a “Mahendran” (mentioned in Vagindraj’s report), Peru said as far as he knew, the individual was Vagindraj’s friend.