Mara Inc probe started two months ago, says Annuar Musa

KUALA LUMPUR: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) had been conducting an internal probe into Mara Inc about two months before Australian paper The Age reported about its controversial investment in Melbourne.

Mara chairman Tan Sri Annuar Musa (pic) said they regarded the news article in The Age as further information to aid their probe.

"We will co-operate with the authorities investigating the case and will leave no stone unturned," Annuar told a press conference on Wednesday.

Annuar said the purchase of Dudley House in Melbourne was done according to procedure and the National Economic Council was aware of it.

He said they were not aware of claims that the value of the property had been inflated or that the officials concerned had received kickbacks.

"Mara Inc officials have been given seven days to response to the allegations in writing," he said.

Annuar said it was to premature to acknowledge wrongdoing on the part of Mara Inc.

"No, that will jeopardise the investigations," he said.

Of the four Malaysian individuals mentioned in The Age's report, Annuar made reference to three of them.

He said he met Mara Inc chief executive Datuk Halim Bin Rahman on Tuesday and asked for a full report in writing.

The Mara Inc chairman was Datuk Mohammad Lan Allanim, a former Sulabayan assemblyman.

He said Azizi Erwan was not a Mara employee, and was a businessmen and director of a company called Thrushcross (registered in the British Virgin Islands) which was used to purchase Dudley House.

"I do not know them personally," he said, he said in reference to the Azizi and another director of Thrushcross.

Annuar did not make any reference to another individual, Yusof Gani, mentioned in The Age's report.

Annuar said those found responsible would have to face the consequences.

"There is no question of a cover-up. We will not protect anyone if there are elements of corruption or criminal breach of trust.

Annuar said he was told external investigations by authorities are underway and he had asked Mara officials to fully cooperate with them.