Two top officials at Majlis Amanah Rakyat’s (Mara) investment arm Mara Inc Sdn Bhd have been temporarily "relieved from their duties" pending investigations over alleged wrongdoings in Mara Inc controversial property purchases in Melbourne.

 

They are Mara Inc chairperson Mohammad Lan Allani () and Mara Inc CEO Abdul Halim Abdul Rahim.

 

"The two are relieved of their duties so that the investigation can proceed without interference and the two are not accused of anything.

 

"This absolutely does not mean we have found any wrongdoing by them at this time.

"This is to ensure Mara’s integrity and commitment and that investigations by the MACC and others are transparent,” Mara chairperson Annuar Musa told reporters at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

 

He also announced that the Mara Council has decided to appoint audit firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) to audit Mara Inc’s property purchases abroad, particularly those in Australia and the UK.

He acknowledged that after questioning various Mara Inc officials, there is ‘reasonable suspicion’ over many issues in the company’s purchases.

Police need to review 'more thoroughly'

In addition, Annuar also voiced dissatisfaction over Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar’s statement that there is no element of criminal breach of trust (CBT) in the property purchases, and said he will meet with the police on the matter.

“(This is) to give some of our feedback so that the police have a clearer picture, and if necessary, we would like this to be reviewed more thoroughly by the police,” he said.

Khalid ( photo ), had previously clarified that he meant there is no element of CBT found so far and the MACC will inform the police if it finds any, after initial reports quoted him saying there is no CBT involved in the purchase.

To a question whether PWC is the valuer referred to in a report by theSun this morning, Annuar said he is not aware of the issue.

theSun had reported that the Wisma Putra has ordered the Malaysian High Commission in Canberra to appoint independent valuers to determine whether it had paid market prices for its properties in Sydney and Melbourne, quoting unnamed sources.

Meanwhile, Annuar said Mara is willing to provide clarification to the public regarding the property scandal, except where it may affect investigations or is prejudicial to other parties.

When asked to respond to Pandan MP Mohd Rafizi Ramli’s series of press conferences about Mara since Monday, Annuar said Mara has no issues with the press conferences because that is Rafizi’s choice, but added he is not answerable to Rafizi.

He said that as far as Mara is concerned, those who have information which is helpful should approach the relevant authorities with the information.

'Reported to Mara Council, not Rafizi '

Rafizi had announced this morning that his colleague, National Oversight and Whistlebloswers (NOW) director Akmal Nasir, will be travelling to Melbourne next week to lodge reports with Australian authorities over alleged wrongdoings in the property purchases.

Annuar also denied Rafizi’s insinuation that he had done nothing following his official visit to Melbourne in May last year, where he supposedly received a briefing regarding Mara Inc’s property investments.

"In reality, yes there was action taken. In the council meeting on June 2014, the criticism that I had made is recorded in the minutes, and we have continued to monitor the situation since.

"So, was action taken? Yes there was. It is just that I haven’t reported this to Rafizi because I didn’t even know he is interested in such things

"But to the Mara Council that I am responsible for, there are reports, there are minutes, there is action,” he said.

He also urged Rafizi ( photo ) to meet him face-to-face or in Parliament if the PKR leader requires clarification, as there may be ‘communications breakdown’ if Rafizi’s words reached him through the press instead.

Mara Inc’s four property purchases in Melbourne have been in the spotlight since last week  after reports emerged that Mara had overpaid for the student hostel at Dudley International House, and the excess of those payments were laundered as kickbacks for Malaysian officials.

Rafizi and Akmal have been holding daily press conferences since Monday, alleging, among others, that the three other properties were similarly paid for well above market prices, amounting to RM129 million in ‘swindled’ money.

Rafizi is expected to hold another press conference in Monday, where he said he would unveil the identify of some of those who supposedly benefited from the deals.