Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) will consider selling its overseas properties if there’s profit to be made, said chairperson Annuar Musa.

Annuar said that its controversial Australian properties could be sold if they were not being used as hostels to house their students.

"If you can make money, and there's a willing buyer, why not? As we said before this (property) business is about investment," he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.

Annuar gave an example about a service apartment in London owned by Mara which was sold recently.

"On paper by selling now, we should be able to make money. But remember, if you're buying following procedure, then you must sell it according to procedure too," he said.

Last month,  The Age , an Australian newspaper, alleged that Mara officers had overpaid by A$4.75 million (RM13.7 million) in the purchase of  property for use by Mara students in Australia.

The excess A$4.75 million (RM13.7 million) was then laundered out of Australia and was allegedly paid as bribes in Malaysia.

On another matter, Annuar said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak should not tgo on leave while investigations proceeded on 1MDB funds allegedly being channelled to his personal bank accounts.

He the allegations were still unproven and did not tarnish Najib's image.

PM's position strong

"It's only allegations. If everyone take leave here in Mara only because they have been accused, then there will be no one left to work here.

"The PM is not an ordinary position. He needs to do his job," he said.

Annuar also lauded Najib's action in sending a letter of clarification to The Wall Street Journal asking for their stand on their articles which claimed that nearly US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) from state-owned 1MDB had purportedly been traced to Najib's personal bank accounts.

The Ketereh MP said Najib's position was still strong and that BN MPs stood behind him.

"He has the support of the party and the people. The only way he can be removed is by the MPs in Parliament and the people, especially those in his constituency.

“As long as they are behind him, there is no problem,” said Annuar.