Mara submits documents to MACC over Melbourne property deal

KOTA BARU: Documents relating to the acquisition of assets by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) overseas have been submitted to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for investigation.

Mara chairman Tan Sri Annuar Musa said the documents were in connection with the allegedly purchase of three properties in Melbourne, Australia.

"So, let investigation be carried out. We have nothing to hide," he told reporters after presenting alms to 380 recipients in Ketereh parliamentary constituency here on Tuesday.

Annuar, who is also the Ketereh Member of Parliament, said his officers would not cover up anything relating to the purchase of Mara assets abroad and would cooperate with the various parties if required to.

Australian newspaper The Age had reported that a top Mara officer, senior  official and former politician had allegedly spent millions in government funds to buy an apartment block in Melbourne in a property scam.

It alleged that "a group of extremely rich Malaysian officials" had overpaid by A$4.75m (RM13.8m) for the apartment block in the city in 2013.

The trio had allegedly "overbid" for the building, called Dudley International House, from A$17.8m to A$22.5m (RM65.3m), with the difference pocketed as bribes back home.

Dudley International House is a student hostel, bought by Mara. The five-storey building located in suburban East Caulfield currently accommodates 115 Mara students studying at Monash University. – Bernama