Feedlot project: No conflict of interest, says Noh

As far as the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry is concerned, there is "no conflict of interest" in the RM257 million soft loan awarded to the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC).

Nor does the ministry have any concern over the viability or performance of the project.

"The project is not direct nego. We offered it out. Six companies came forward.

"Where is the conflict of interest if the loan award is decided upon by the selection committee?" Minister Noh Omar (left) told Parliament today while winding up for the ministry during the policy stage of the 2012 Budget debate.

However, Noh did not name the minister whose is related to the individuals with interests in the NFC, despite constant prodding by opposition MPs.

Noh also said that the Auditor General's report did not state any major issues with the project.

"If you look at the audit report, it does not say the project failed."

He argued that the report stated only that there are outstanding commitments by the government which have not yet been undelivered, which has caused some delays with the project.

The issue of the concessions granted to NFC has been fodder for the opposition which it used to attack the government with allegations of conflict of interest and a public funds sinkhole in the making.

[More to follow]