Cover image via Najjua Zulkefli / The Malaysian InsiderMARA to hand over documents to MACC over Melbourne property deal
RM 375.4 million spent to purchase four properties in Melbourne
Image via The Edge
30 June: MARA used eight companies from three different countries to buy property in Melbourne
The chain of transaction for the four properties are as follows:
Rafizi went on to question why investigations were not conducted earlier when it was blatantly obvious that there was something suspicious about the structure
29 June, 2pm: IGP says no element of CBT detected, hence investigations to be handed over to MACC
Vendors confess MARA property in Melbourne was bought for inflated not lower price
25 June: Aussie police launches raid on several properties believed to be used in Mara's laundering
On 23 June, a front-page exclusive by Australian daily The Age reported that several top officials from MARA Inc. (a subsidiary investment arm of Majlis Amanah Rakyat) had overpaid for an apartment block in Melbourne, with the A$4.75 million (RM13.7 million) being pocketed as bribes
Speaking during a press conference at MARA headquarters earlier today, MARA chairman Tan Sri Annuar Musa said that the exposé came as no surprise to them as MARA Inc. was already being audited and investigated for not adhering to certain regulations since two months ago
Image via Shahir Omar / Astro Awani
According to Annuar, MARA was under the impression that MARA Inc. had acquired Dudley House at a bargain as they were unaware that its price had been inflated above the market rate
Image via Yusof Mat Isa / The Malay Mail Online
Annuar also said that the purchase was in line with procedures and guidelines set by the Finance Ministry, including obtaining approval at the highest level from the National Economic Council (EC), which is headed by PM Najib Razak
Image via Michael Wuertenberg
While he does not deny the allegations made by The Age, Annuar asserts that the agency will allow an independent body to investigate the claims and that MARA will give full co-operation to any external investigations in addition to conducting an internal probe
Image via Najjua Zulkefli / The Malaysian Insider
In regards to their involvement in the alleged bribery case, MARA Inc. officials have been instructed to provide a written explanation in seven days. Annuar also said that "no one will be protected if there was any proof of misconduct" as the investigation will "leave no stone unturned"
Image via Najjua Zulkefli / The Malaysian Insider
