"It's our 'culture' to pay extra for the things we buy" - Tun M on MARA property buy

That was the cryptic message delivered by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad when asked to comment on the overseas purchase of a Melbourne property by a government agency.

"It is in our culture, when we buy something, not only we pay RM10 but we also let the seller keep the change," said Dr Mahathir when the question was posed to him at a 'buka puasa' event organised by Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) in Kampung Baru here tonight.

On Tuesday, Australian newspaper The Age had reported that Mara Incorporated Sdn Bhd (MARA Inc.) had purchased an apartment block called Dudley International House in Caulfield East.

Mara Inc is a subsidiary of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA).

The report claimed that the market price for the property was A$17 million (RM51.5 million) but was purchased by MARA at a ballooned price of A$22.5 million (RM65 million).

The Australian developer involved in the deal, Peter Mills, last year had admitted in a civil court that the A$4.75 million (RM13.7 million) price difference had been used to "grease palms overseas".

The bribe was apparently paid via false invoices issued to the Australian developer from Malaysian shelf companies.

Subsequently, MARA chairman Tan Sri Annuar Musa had said the property purchase followed procedures and guidelines set by the Finance Ministry.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had also gave his assurance that the claims of corruption would be thoroughly investigated.