Rural and Regional Development Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal has defended Mara Inc Sdn Bhd's property purchases in Melbourne, on grounds that they were good buys.

At a press conference today, Shafie said as of December 2014, all the properties had increased in value.

Shafie distributed a handout which claimed that the four properties - 21, Queen Street, 333, Exhibition Street, Dudley International House and 746, Swanston Street - had increased in value.

The figures show that in total, Mara had made a paper gain of approximately RM45 million.

According to Shafie, the valuation was performed by Raine and Horne International.

Australian authorities are probing Mara's purchase of Dudley International House on grounds that it was bought at an inflated price and kickbacks were given to some Malaysian officials.

Corruption watchdog National Oversight and Whistleblower (NOW) has alleged that the other three properties were bought at an inflated price as well.

Its leader Rafizi Ramli has been hosting press conferences daily to unveil infomation which he Mara needed to answer for.

Won't respond to Rafizi

Shafie refused to comment on any of the allegations raised by Rafizi, on grounds that the matter was still under investigation.

"If I answer them now, it would be based on accusations. That's why we have sent the necessary documents to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)," he said.

On the two non-Mara officials linked to Umno Youth who had allegedly profited with the purchase of 746 Swanston Street, Shafie said he will not answer wild allegations.

One of the two, Umno youth vice-chief Khairul Azwan Harun, has since demanded for an apology from Rafizi for alleging that he was among those who were "behind the scene" in the deal.

On the suspension of Mara Inc chairperson Mohammad Lan Allani and Mara Inc CEO Abdul Halim Abdul Rahim, Shafie the public should not assume they are guilty.

"We cannot punish them if they have not been found guilty. It's just that after discussions, we find that they should be temporarily relieved until investigations are concluded.

"Unless and until there is clear evidence, you cannot say someone has been found guilty," he said.