KUALA LUMPUR – A former Mara Incorporated chairman, accused of pocketing RM33.45 million over a property deal in Australia, will be charged with 22 counts of graft on Friday.
The individual, who has a “Datuk” title, was arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission at its headquarters this morning.
He faces 22 charges for corruption and money-laundering.
In 2013, Mara had purchased the Dudley House, an upmarket apartment complex in Melbourne, for A$22.6 million, A$4.75 million (RM14.25 million) more than the agreed price of A$17.85 million.
It was reported that the inflated price was to provide kickbacks to Malaysian officials.
Last July, Australian authorities charged property developer Teen Boon Lye with bribing a Malaysian official to secure the sale of the property.
Australian investigators have identified two local individuals, by the name of Zach Zainal and Erwan Azi, as the middlemen who received the RM14.25 million as a bribe to influence a senior public official. – The Vibes, February 3, 2021
