Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said the National Feedlot Corporation's (NFC) assets have been frozen after claims that the company allegedly misspent a RM250 million government soft loan surfaced.
The premier revealed this today when commenting on the decision by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil's decision to go on a three-week leave from ministerial duties.
Shahrizat has faced mounting calls to resign from the government as her husband, Mohamed Salleh Ismail is the executive chairperson of NFC which is embroiled in controversy.
According toBernama, Najib said the decision would allow the authority to investigate if Shahrizat was involved in the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) issue.
The investigation, he adds, would begin from the start and look into whether Shahrizat in her capacity of a minister was involved in the process of granting the project to her family.
"I've discussed with Shahrizat about the decision to take the leave, and it is an appropriate decision as it allows the authority to carry out a thorough investigation.
"Shahrizat said she was willing to be investigated fully. What happens after this will depend on the outcome of the investigation," he told reporters after declaring open the National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day in Parit Buntar, Perak, today.
DPM looking into the matter
Shahrizat said in a statement on Thursday that she had applied for three weeks' leave, starting yesterday.
The NFC issue came to light when the 2010 Auditor-General's Report, released in October, pointed out that the corporation had failed to achieve its objectives.
The prime minister also said that he had asked Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Noh Omar to study how best can the NFC issue be resolved.
The NFC is the "meat valley" project in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan aimed at increasing the production of local meat and reducing dependency on import for such product.
The premier revealed this today when commenting on the decision by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil's decision to go on a three-week leave from ministerial duties.
Shahrizat has faced mounting calls to resign from the government as her husband, Mohamed Salleh Ismail is the executive chairperson of NFC which is embroiled in controversy.According toBernama, Najib said the decision would allow the authority to investigate if Shahrizat was involved in the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) issue.
The investigation, he adds, would begin from the start and look into whether Shahrizat in her capacity of a minister was involved in the process of granting the project to her family.
"I've discussed with Shahrizat about the decision to take the leave, and it is an appropriate decision as it allows the authority to carry out a thorough investigation.
"Shahrizat said she was willing to be investigated fully. What happens after this will depend on the outcome of the investigation," he told reporters after declaring open the National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day in Parit Buntar, Perak, today.
DPM looking into the matter
Shahrizat said in a statement on Thursday that she had applied for three weeks' leave, starting yesterday.
The NFC issue came to light when the 2010 Auditor-General's Report, released in October, pointed out that the corporation had failed to achieve its objectives.
The prime minister also said that he had asked Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Noh Omar to study how best can the NFC issue be resolved.The NFC is the "meat valley" project in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan aimed at increasing the production of local meat and reducing dependency on import for such product.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin announced in Kangar that the government will announce, in the near future, the steps it will take to handle the issues being faced by NFC.
"I have discussed it with the PM that the issue has been manipulated by the opposition and it has reached a stage where the government will take action and announce the same in the near future," he said after distributing 1Malaysia People's Aid at the Dewan 2020 here.
The government will review all aspects in relation to NFC including its contract with the company, he added.
Once the matter has been presented to the PM, it will be announced to the public, said Muhyiddin.
He also remarked that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and police investigations may be used as guidelines.
MACC recently announced that the case of a condominium purchase with NFC funds has been handed over to the Commercial Crimes Department director.
The NFC issue surfaced after the 2010 Auditor-General Report in October stated that the corporation had failed to comply with the objectives of its formation.
"I have discussed it with the PM that the issue has been manipulated by the opposition and it has reached a stage where the government will take action and announce the same in the near future," he said after distributing 1Malaysia People's Aid at the Dewan 2020 here.
The government will review all aspects in relation to NFC including its contract with the company, he added.
Once the matter has been presented to the PM, it will be announced to the public, said Muhyiddin.
He also remarked that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and police investigations may be used as guidelines.
MACC recently announced that the case of a condominium purchase with NFC funds has been handed over to the Commercial Crimes Department director.
The NFC issue surfaced after the 2010 Auditor-General Report in October stated that the corporation had failed to comply with the objectives of its formation.
PKR: Freeze must include family companies
Meanwhile, PKR strategies director Rafizi Ramli, who is responsible for the series of expose against NFC, called on Najib to extend the freeze to include assets purchased under other companies but using the soft loan from NFC.
"I urge the prime minister to ensure all assets purchased through NFC's funds by other companies owned by Shahrizat's family to be frozen.
"Revelations by PKR thus far show that the properties and assets purchased is not placed under NFC but is owned by other companies controlled by Shahrizat's family.
"In fact, the purchase of luxury condominiums in Singapore was made in the name of Shahrizat's husband and children," he said in a statement this afternoon.
Rafizi also criticised Najib for allowing Muhyiddin and Noh to handle this matter, pointing out that the alleged misspending had occurred under their watch.
"Their negligence have resulted in the people's money being used to purchase luxury condominiums, lands and holidays overseas," he said.
He adds that the asset freeze must be accompanied by the appointment of a corporate administrator tasked with taking over the management of NFC and report to Parliament on all alleged misappropriation which has occurred.
Meanwhile, PKR strategies director Rafizi Ramli, who is responsible for the series of expose against NFC, called on Najib to extend the freeze to include assets purchased under other companies but using the soft loan from NFC.
"I urge the prime minister to ensure all assets purchased through NFC's funds by other companies owned by Shahrizat's family to be frozen."Revelations by PKR thus far show that the properties and assets purchased is not placed under NFC but is owned by other companies controlled by Shahrizat's family.
"In fact, the purchase of luxury condominiums in Singapore was made in the name of Shahrizat's husband and children," he said in a statement this afternoon.
Rafizi also criticised Najib for allowing Muhyiddin and Noh to handle this matter, pointing out that the alleged misspending had occurred under their watch.
"Their negligence have resulted in the people's money being used to purchase luxury condominiums, lands and holidays overseas," he said.
He adds that the asset freeze must be accompanied by the appointment of a corporate administrator tasked with taking over the management of NFC and report to Parliament on all alleged misappropriation which has occurred.
Slander no more?
Meanwhile opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim (below) said that the PM should be mindful that if not for efforts of PKR Youth and the public outcry, no action would have been taken.
“Does (Najib) realise that without Pakatan Rakyat, the strong voice of the Pakatan Youth, without the objection of the rakyet, if this was left to Umno to deal with, would there be any action at all (against NFC)?” he said during his closing speech at the Pakatan Rakyat convention in Alor Setar today.
“It would never happen. Umno cannot be counted upon to take care of our national treasury.
He slammed the government for sidestepping the scandal at the beginning and calling the accusations against NFC lies and slander.
“They cried slander, slander, slander, but today they say the accounts have been frozen. If it was slander then why freeze the accounts?
“This shows the voice of the rakyat is supreme,” said Anwar.
“Does (Najib) realise that without Pakatan Rakyat, the strong voice of the Pakatan Youth, without the objection of the rakyet, if this was left to Umno to deal with, would there be any action at all (against NFC)?” he said during his closing speech at the Pakatan Rakyat convention in Alor Setar today.“It would never happen. Umno cannot be counted upon to take care of our national treasury.
He slammed the government for sidestepping the scandal at the beginning and calling the accusations against NFC lies and slander.
“They cried slander, slander, slander, but today they say the accounts have been frozen. If it was slander then why freeze the accounts?
“This shows the voice of the rakyat is supreme,” said Anwar.
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