MACC told about Mara deal only in March

Agency denies claim of cover-up, says officers already in Melbourne when news broke

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has rejected DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang’s allegations that the agency had been aware of Mara’s Dudley House property purchase in Australia since December.

Deputy commissioner Mohd Shukri Abdull said MACC began receiving information from the public in March and began to build a profile of the individuals and companies involved.

MACC subsequently received a visit from Australian police last month and both parties exchanged information and initiated a joint investigation.

“In June, the MACC sent several officials to Melbourne for discussions and when the Australian and local media reported the issue on June 23, MACC officers were already conducting investigations in Melbourne,” he said in a statement here today.

Mohd Shukri reiterated that Lim’s allegation that MACC had initiated investigations since December did not hold water.

Lim, who is MP for Gelang Patah, had demanded to know if the MACC had received a tip-off on the property deal last year. If the claim was true, Lim said, the commission should explain why it appeared to be protecting and not exposing the culprits involved.

Mohd Shukri said the MACC had always conducted its investigations in a transparent, independent and professional manner without pressure from any party. “There is no issue that the MACC tried to cover up the case. In fact, it is unfair for any party, especially politicians, to assume as such,” he added.

– BERNAMA