Mara duo suspended over the dubious Aussie deals
Published on: Friday, July 03, 2015
Kuala Lumpur: Two top Mara Incorporated Sdn Bhd (Mara Inc) officials have been temporarily relieved of their duties, pending investigations into questionable property purchases in Australia.Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) Chairman Tan Sri Annuar Musa announced that the two are Mara Inc Chairman Datuk Mohammad Lan Allani and its chief Executive officer Datuk Abdul Halim Rahim.The action came a week after Mara Inc was ordered to submit detailed written explanations after theSun and Australia's The Age newspaper exposed a questionable purchase and a demand for a A$4.75 million (RM13.62 million) bribe involving the Dudley House property in Melbourne.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We came to this decision during our council meeting earlier to facilitate investigation," Annuar told a press conference at Mara's headquarters here evening today."This, however, does not prove that the two said officials have committed any wrongdoings. The decision was made to maintain Mara's high integrity and also to ensure a transparent investigation," he added.The council meeting had discussed in detail the issues pertaining to the purchasing procedures of the assets, and all of Mara Inc's top officials, including its chairman and board of directors, have been called up to provide an explanation on the issue.Annuar said the council had also decided to appoint an independent auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), to audit and investigate in depth the issues pertaining to the purchases of all its properties overseas, both in Australia and United Kingdom.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We will provide the terms of reference to PwC, and we are not discounting the possibility of them conducting a forensic audit on the issue," he added.On allegations made by National Oversight and Whistleblowers (NOW) director Rafizi Ramli regarding the property deals, Annuar urged Rafizi to meet him personally or in Parliament to avoid any miscommunication.
ADVERTISEMENT
Annuar said Rafizi has the right to make statements, and as long as it does not hamper the investigation process, Mara will not take any action against him."We would appreciate if anyone, including Rafizi, who have information on the details of the purchases, would come and assist us, to help expedite the investigation process," Annuar said.On Rafizi's statement that an unnamed company was involved during the purchasing process, Annuar said: "I'm not the authorised person to answer that. Let the investigations decide."Annuar added that the Mara council has also taken note of a statement by the Royal Malaysian Police that there is no element of criminal breach of trust, but are not satisfied by it.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
