Kuala Lumpur: One of the suspects in the Mara Incorporated Sdn Bhd property purchase scandal is likely in Sabah at the moment.
In an interview with MACC.fm, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki
(pic) said the deputy public prosecutor had agreed in principle to charge several individuals involved in the scandal.
“However, one of the individuals is probably residing in Sabah and could be under quarantine.
“Therefore, we need to wait and arrange for the right time to go ahead with this,” he said.
The Mara Inc property purchase scandal came to light in 2015 when two Australian newspapers reported that the price of Dudley International House, was deliberately inflated by AU$4.75 millions.
The newspapers also reported that millions of government funds were siphoned to purchase the student accommodation facility.
Azam also assured that MACC would handle the case impartially and would not protect any parties involved in the scandal.
Previous reports claimed that Mara had overpaid by A$4.75mil (RM14.14mil) for the Dudley International House.
Australian authorities had recently seized properties and cash totalling A$1.6mil (RM4.8mil) from a man said to be a Malaysian living in Australia and who had been accused of bribing a Malaysian official to secure Mara’s purchase of the multimillion-dollar apartment complex in Melbourne in 2013.
The Dudley property scandal was first highlighted by the Australian media, which led to the revelation of other properties said to have also been bought at inflated prices.
On the issue of taking MACC suspects in the orange lock-up outfit to court for remand, Azam said there were reasons why they were made to wear it, adding that investigation officers were given the discretion to decide on this.
“I would like to settle this once and for all. I would like to ask, what is the problem with the baju oren (orange attire)?
“Police also make suspects wear the remand attire. Their suspects are handcuffed, too. But this has not been turned into a polemic (issue),” he said.
Azam was responding to questions if it was right for MACC to put suspects going to court for remand in the orange garb and handcuffs.
“I know some people are talking about human rights. But we must also consider the rights of the people who demand that the MACC officers carry out their duties well and effectively,” said Azam.
He said in some cases, investigation officers might feel it is necessary to put suspects in lock-up attire when they are taken to court for remand.
“Bear in mind that on most occasions, there would be other enforcement agency officers taking their suspects to court for remand applications.
“If they were not in the orange suit, it would be hard to identify the suspects,” he pointed out.
Those detained by MACC and held in its lock-ups must put on the suit, also for easy identification.
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