Macc Probing Into Mara Corp Allowance Issue Azam

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MACC has launched an investigation into an alleged power abuse issue involving allowances for several executives of Mara Corporation, which is an investment arm of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara).
This was confirmed by MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki when contacted by Malaysiakini on Tuesday.
However, according to him, MACC has not received any report so far about alleged abuse of the company's credit card by a member of its board of directors.
"So far we are only conducting one investigation into Mara Corporation, which is regarding the issue about allowances," he said.
Azam told Malaysiakini that he only learned about the credit card abuse allegation after several journalists contacted him for confirmation whether MACC is looking into the matter.
"MACC has not received a report about credit card abuse.
"We urge the related parties to lodge a report with MACC and we will open an investigation," Azam said.
Azam BakiRM12,000 expenditures at golf shop
According to a copy of receipts sighted by Malaysiakini, a senior Mara Corp official had allegedly used the company's credit card to purchase golfing equipment worth over RM12,000.
Based on the documents shown by inside sources, the deposit was made to a company in Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur in September last year.
The official implicated in the allegation has declined to comment when contacted by Malaysiakini on Tuesday.
Yesterday, a media report quoted a Mara Corp senior officer denying that he had abused the company's credit card to spend at a nightclub and karaoke, and for purchasing Louis Vuitton luxury bags worth hundreds of thousand ringgit.
According to the officer, all credit card expenses were done solely for business purposes.
He also pointed out that the company credit card that he was holding had a limit of RM50,000.
MACC yesterday reportedly raided Mara headquarters, Mara Corp and the office of a corporate secretary in Kuala Lumpur over allegations against the company's senior official.
Bernama reported that the raids were carried out to obtain documents pertaining to the allegation after the issue went viral since MACC received a report about it on Saturday.
The investigation was conducted under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act, which stipulates offences of abusing position to receive gratification.
Mara chairperson Azizah Mohd Dun, meanwhile, stated that Mara and Mara Corp are ready to cooperate with authorities and will leave the case to MACC to investigate.
She stressed that the agency will not tolerate abuse of power and corruption. - Mkini

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