Police are leaving the investigations into the controversial Mara property purchase in Australia to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), since there is no element of criminal breach of trust, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said today.
He said MACC was able to handle the investigations for the moment.
"CCID (Commercial Crime Investigations Department) is not involved for the time being, as there is no element of CBT," he said, after handing out packets of Raya cookies to the police contingents nationwide in Kuala Lumpur today.
In its expose of the overpriced purchase by Mara of an apartment block in Melbourne, Australian daily The Age had reported that “a group of super-rich Malaysian officials” overpaid by A$4.75 million (RM13.8 million) for the property in 2013.
The trio had allegedly “overbid” for Dudley International House, from A$17.8 million to A$22.5 million (RM65.3 million), with the difference pocketed as bribes back home.
MACC said last week several people had been called up for questioning and that investigation was ongoing.
Its deputy commissioner of operations, Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull, reportedly said the anti-graft body received information on the matter some time in March and proceeded with profiling the individuals involved in the alleged irregularities.
Following that, he said the Australian police paid a visit to MACC's office in May where both parties exchanged information and started the probe.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (LPPR), in a statement yesterday, called on all parties, including politicians, not to prejudge investigations into the matter.
The independent body said MACC should be given room to conduct a full and thorough investigation. It also urged all parties to be patient, and refrain from making statements on the issue.
