MARA prepared to cooperate with MACC if there is new evidence

Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) is prepared to cooperate with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in the investigation on the alleged purchase of property in Australia by Mara Incorporated Sdn Bhd (Mara Inc) if there is new evidence on the matter.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob said the ministry was also prepared to send any of the Mara officers to testify if required to do so.

"Although there have been calls for us (Mara) to reveal the documents, we cannot do so as it will affect MACC's investigation.

"But, if MACC were to ask for the documents again, we have no problems and will cooperate," he told a media conference after opening the Semenyih Mara Bazaar here.

Yesterday, an association known as 'Persatuan Perjuangan Masyarakat Kota' (Perkata) lodged a report with MACC on the alleged acquisition of property in Australia by Mara Inc.

Its secretary-general, Adzly Ab Manas, said the association was prepared to hand over the evidence if needed.

On June 26 last year, Mara chairman Tan Sri Annuar Musa, who has since been suspended, handed over documents to MACC on the purchase of real estates in Australia by Mara Inc.

In another development, Ismail Sabri said old business premises belonging to Mara, like bazaar and arcade, would be rebuilt or transformed to make them more conducive for bumiputera entrepreneurs.

The initiative, carried out since last year, has been able to increase the income of bumiputera entrepreneurs of between 20 and 30 per cent, he added.

Until now, he said, Mara had provided more than 7,000 business lots for bumiputera entrepreneurs at 160 bazaars, 129 arcades, 184 commercial lots, 21 Mara Industrial Complex and six Halal Industrial Parks nationwide. -- Bernama