Former PKR Kapar MP S Manikavasagam claimed he was set up over allegation that he received a RM30,000 bribe and had cheated several disabled persons of their Employees Provident Fund (EPF) deposits.

While confirming he was probed for alleged bribery, he said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) did not investigate over EPF fraud as reported.

Manikavasagam was arrested on June 15 by the MACC and released from custody the next day.

It was alleged that he had accepted the money from a contractor as an inducement to secure a public amenities tender.

“I strongly deny the allegation (of corruption). Someone is trying to set me up and defame me,” Manikavasagam told journalists after lodging a report at the Petaling Jaya police headquarters today.

He said he had nothing to offer in exchange for a bribe, as he did not hold any public office positions.

Accompanied by lawyers N Surendran, M Manoharan and Raul Lee Bhaskaran, the PKR leader urged the police to investigate the matter.

Manikavasagam also revealed the events on June 15 that led up to the arrest.

He said he was scheduled to meet a friend, who had agreed to donate money to reimburse the party's expenses for the just-concluded Sarawak election, at a petrol station.

“It wasn't a large amount, around RM2,000. This was to pay for the (printing) cost of the PKR flags we brought into Sarawak.

“I have not paid the bill... and I wanted to direct my donor to a nearby bank to deposit the money into the PKR division's account,” said the Kuala Selangor PKR.

However, he said his friend did not show up while he was waiting in his car outside the meeting place.

Instead, a stranger approached and threw a white envelope into the car's driver seat, said Manikavasagam.

“The guy fled. I immediately took it and threw it out... I didn't know what the package was about.”

Blocked by MACC officers

Manikavasagam said two cars, which he later learned were from MACC, then blocked him from the front and back.

A female MACC officer picked up the envelope and found RM30,000 in cash inside, he said.

“The lady asked me to sign a form, but I refused,” said Manikavasagam.

He said he was set up as he had no knowledge of the envelope's content.

His legal counsel, Manoharan, urged MACC to immediately withdraw the case.

“There is some culprit involved, we want police to investigate. Not against Manikavasagam.”

Meanwhile, PKR's disciplinary board chairperson Abdul Hadi Khatab said the party would conduct an independent probe into the matter.

"We view seriously the issue of alleged corruption and misconduct by any party members.

"While the board seriously views the actions taken by the MACC, the allegation cannot be used to convict or be used as a factor of the guilt of the person.

"Hence, the board will conduct its own independent investigation other than the MACC.

"We will wait to meet Manikavasagam to get further information on the allegations made against him so investigations are made," Abdul Hadi said in a statement.

PKR vice-president Tian Chua had said the party would be seeking a meeting with Manikavasagam to clarify what had happened.