Naga Berbicara

MACC, Mara looking at Melbourne property deal before expose

(The Edge, 25 June 2015, pg 4)

By Terence Fernandez & Elizabeth Zachariah

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) have initiated investigations into the latter’s Australian property deal even before Australian newspaper The Age exposed the multimillion ringgit deal.

Mara chairman Tan Sri Annuar Musa said Mara has begun investigations into the purchase of a hostel in Melbourne by one of its subsidiaries two months ago.

Meanwhile, MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner, Dato’ Sri Mohd Shukri Abdull told The Edge Financial Daily that the commission has been on the trail of the Melbourne property deal for a month, and that his officers have travelled to Melbourne to gather evidence on the deal.

However, his stressed that no Malaysians have been questioned yet.

“My officers are now in Melbourne working closely with the Australian authorities. We have no interviewed anyone yet. My officers are coming back this Saturday with documents. Then we will plan future action,” Mohd. Shukri said.

The Age has alleged that three senior Mara executives “overbid” for the Dudley International House, from A$17.8 million to A$22.5 million, with the difference pocketed as bribes.

The paper also reported that Mara paid A$63.5 million to purchase three other properties in Melbourne via shelf companies.