They said the false allegation had damaged 38-year-old Mathurai Veeran Krishnan’s reputation and made it difficult for him to get a job in the last 18 months.

Calling themselves Justice for Veeran, the group today submitted a letter of representation to Attorney-General Tommy Thomas, urging him to reinstate the case and allow a trial for Veeran to clear his name.

“I just want to clear my name for my future and the future of my own children,” a teary Veeran said at a press conference organised by the group today.

The group meanwhile vowed to gather outside the AGC building if there was no response from the AGC within seven days.

They said Veeran had received a call on Oct 20 from an individual asking him to withdraw a police report claiming he was falsely accused of molesting a four-year-old girl.

A police report was lodged, alleging an attempt to pay him off, while another report was filed with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

The accusation against Veeran was first made by the girl’s mother, Maya Ahmad Fuaad, who is the daughter of a former Malaysia Airlines Berhad managing director. Veeran worked as a driver for the family of Maya’s ex-husband.

Following the accusation against Veeran, several NGOs such as the Women’s Aid Organisation, Voice of the Children and the Association of Women Lawyers urged authorities not to charge Maya.

The charges against Maya were subsequently dropped, and she was given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal.

Speaking to reporters today, Veeran said he had been a loyal employee to Maya’s father-in-law.

Maya had in her police report accused Veeran of molesting her daughter, and said her ex-husband was aware of the crime but had kept quiet about it to avoid jeopardising his custody battle.

Subsequently, Veeran was cleared of all allegations.

His plight had attracted the attention of prominent activist lawyer Siti Kassim, who has actively supported the Justice for Veeran campaign.