PUTRAJAYA, March 30 ― Three people remanded to assist in the investigation into irregularities over the purchase of property by Mara Incorporated Sdn Bhd in Melbourne have been released on bail.

Magistrate Nik Isfahanie Tasnim Wan Ab Rahman issued the order for the two former senior officers of Mara Inc, who have the title “Datuk”, and a company director to be released on bail of RM10,000 in one surety each with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

The three men, in their 40s and 50s, were remanded on March 24 for seven days to have their statements recorded at the MACC headquarters here.

Several people, among them family members of the three men, attempted to prevent press photographers from taking pictures of them as they left the court.

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Last year, Mara Inc, an investment arm of Mara, was involved in a controversy following a report by Australian newspaper “The Age” which claimed that the company purchased a five-storey apartment block at Dudley International House in Melbourne at above the market price.

The newspaper claimed that “a group of very rich Malaysian officers” had overpaid A$4.75 million (RM13.8 million) for the apartment block in 2013.

Dudley International House was bought by Mara for use as a hostel for its students in the Australian city.

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