NFC: Business as usual, despite assets frozen

The operations of the National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd are continuing uninterrupted, as only its assets are being frozen by the government.

In a statement today, NFC executive director Wan Shahinur Izmir Salleh said the inventory of beef will continue to be supplied and all orders will be fulfilled.

“Our assets have been frozen by the relevant authorities since December 2011, not our operations which continue to function normally.

“And so I would like to reassure our clients and vendors as well as our employees that they will continue to be served and gainfully employed,” added Izmir Salleh.

The statement adds that NFC supplies beef to more than 160 customers which includes hypermarkets, supermarkets, mini markets, wet markets, processed meat manufacturers, hotels, restaurants and cafes.

It adds that the National Feedlot Centre in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan will continue to nurture its 4,500 heads of cattle in order to meet the country’s beef supply targets, while its chain of Meatworks restaurants will operate as usual.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak announced that the NFC’s assets have been frozen pending investigations from various authorities including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the police.

In 2007, the company appointed the NFC to run its cattle-rearing project but its performance was given the thumbs down by the Auditor-General’s Report 2010.

It was revealed that the company is owned by the family of Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

The company courted further controversy when it was revealed by PKR that it had made several questionable investments, using a RM250 million government soft loan, which includes luxury condominiums, prime land in Putrajaya and a luxury car.

On Thursday, Shahrizat issued a statement to state that she would be going on three weeks leave pending investigations.