'It's not so bad', says Ibrahim as he comes to Shahrizat's defence

UMNO's right-wing offshoot Perkasa has come to the defence of the family of Wanita UMNO head Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who have been embroiled in the controversy surrounding the RM250 million government funds for the National Feedlot Corporation.

Speaking on behalf of Shahrizat's husband Mohamad Salleh who heads the cattle-rearing project which went awry following a spate of revelations showing how funds were spent on luxury items and holiday packages, Perkasa's colourful leader Ibrahim Ali has urged the Auditor General to reveal Salleh's letter to the department explaining the accusations of financial abuse.

According to Ibrahim, Salleh told him that the Auditor General had agreed that there had been no mismanagement of funds as alleged.

"However, there had been no announcement from the Auditor General about the matter, so we urge him to issue an official statement and be fair to all quarters so that one is defended or punished based on confirmed facts, not on political perception," Ibrahim told a press conference yesterday.

Claiming that he was "neutral", Ibrahim revealed that his group and 11 others NGOs - among whom were those who have publicly alligned to Perkasa and its right wing ideas - had been been briefed by Salleh and they were satisfied with his explanation.

"Based on what he has told us, it is not as bad as what the media reported earlier and we are satisfied with his explanation," said Ibrahim.

The series of revelations showing how the RM250 million had been spent by Shahrizat's family members, including on holiday packages, luxury car and properties, attracted widespread public interest.

Shahrizat, who is also Women, Family and Community Development minister, had since announced a three-week leave to give way to an investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

Observers said her absence had somewhat shifted pressure to answer questions over the NFC scandal to deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, the former Agriculture minister who has in the past endorsed Perkasa's actions.

-Harakahdaily