The police have been criticised for abdicating investigations on VIPs to the anti-graft body MACC, as seen in their refusal to investigate alleged corruption involving Majlis Amanah Rakyat's (Mara) purchase of properties in Melbourne.

This is unlike the Australian police, who reacted within two days of the publication of a news report claiming there were hefty kickbacks involved in the purchase, Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua said today.

In contrast, Pua said in a press statement, the response of the Malaysian police was to wait for the MACC and the Australian authorities to conduct their investigations first.

Among others, Pua quoted Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Mortadza Nazarene as stating that Bukit Aman would only get involved if its Australian counterparts asked for help.

"We are always ready to help in any way, but so far, we have not received any request from Australia.

"The investigation is being conducted in Melbourne and we can only get involved if the local police ask for assistance," Mortadza was quoted as saying by The Star on June 26.

Disturbed by cavalier attitude of police

Moreover, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar concluded yesterday that "at the moment, we do not see any element of CBT in this case".

Given the cavalier attitude of the police on the allegations against Mara - involving millions of ringgit being siphoned from a key government agency - Pua asked if it is now becoming a normal practice for the police to just abdicate their responsibility to another agency.

"Can the IGP... just dismiss the international scandal by saying,  'I'm sure if there are elements of CBT, MACC will let us know'?

"Malaysians cannot figure out why is the IGP can take such a relaxed attitude towards such sizeable crime and corruption taking place within our government institutions," Pua added.

The controversy over Mara's property purchases was ignited by a report by The Age , which reported that Mara paid an inflated amount for a property to facilitate kickbacks to Mara officers.

Mara has insisted that the deal was above board and that it has voluntarily supplied the necessary documents to the MACC.