NOWHERE FOR CORRUPT UMNO TO HIDE ITS FACE: Overpaying is our culture - Dr M on Mara fiasco

Malaysians are a generous lot, especially when it comes to business.

That was reaction given by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad when asked to comment on allegations that Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) had bought properties in Melbourne at an inflated price.

"In our culture, if we buy things, we became generous and pay more than needed. This is why we are advanced in business.

"When we go to the store, we give RM10 and told the shopkeeper to keep the change," he told reporters after a function in Kuala Lumpur today.

However, Mahathir refused to elaborate further on the matter, offering only his trademark sardonic grin.

According to Adelaide-based daily The Age, Australia authorities are investigating allegations that some Mara figures had pocketed RM13.7 million in kickbacks for the deal.

Mara chairperson Annuar Musa said that the deal was above board and approved by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

However, Annuar also pointed out that he had nothing to do with the deal, which was sealed before he took helm of Mara.

'I knew Pakatan won't last'

On the breakup of Pakatan Rakyat, Mahathir said he had anticipated that this would happen.

"I knew a long time ago that they (Pakatan) will not last. How can you ask PAS to be friends with DAP?

"It was a marriage of convenience. No similarities whatsoever. Only to defeat BN," he said.

After mocking PAS and DAP over their inability to reconcile, Mahathir turned to a serious tone when asked if his ties with Najib would ever be mend.

He said that instead of mending ties, Najib should concentrate on problems dogging his administration and explain what happened to 1MDB's money.

"Meeting him (Najib) is unnecessary. It won't solve the problem. If u don't understand politics you will lose your country.

"The problems is 1MDB. I have never criticise Najib before this but 1MDB lost billions of Ringgit which were unaccounted for until now," he said. - M'kini