NFCorp in dialogue with NGOs: Spinning itself into a bigger "mess"?

KUALA LUMPUR --- National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd (NFCorp) has extended its appreciation to key NGOs that attended its dialogue last Sunday to be updated on the situation surrounding NFCorp, which solutions would be of concern to the 12 associations and the thousands of members they represented.

It was a no-holds-barred dialogue as the NGOs needed to know the full picture before they could offer a qualified NGO view and statement on the subject.

NFCorp chairman, Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Salleh Ismail had presented the facts of the situation and responded to the many questions raised by the NGO representatives.

The NGOs represented at the dialogue included Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia, Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia, Malaysian Entrepreneurs Council, Peninsular Malay Students Coalition, Consultative Council, Malay Professional Thinkers Association and Children of Kelantan Association, among others.

Diff between NFCorp and NFC

Key to the NGO dialogue session was the fact that NFCorp is a privately held company with the government issued a single preference share in consideration of the loan granted to NFCorp whereas the NFC is a centre that comes under the direct purview of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry.

NFCorp executive director Wan Shahinu Izmir Salleh in thanking the NGO representatives said, "At this point several reports have already been lodged and numerous statements have also been given to the police together with NFCorp’s books and documents in the on-going investigations. They are all in the hands of the relevant authorities whose investigations have yet to be concluded.

"NFCorp is cooperating fully and awaiting the outcome of these investigations, and until then NFCorp would choose to refrain from preempting any further course of action in this respect."

Getting more and more messy

According to Izmir the word ‘mess’ had been taken to the field and spun wildly by certain quarters, creating a bigger perceptual confusion for all, much to the growing detriment of NFCorp.

"Nowhere and at no time had the Auditor General described in his 2010 audit report that National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd was in a ‘mess’,” emphasized Izmir.

Izmir also said that the AG’s report is available for free from the website of Jabatan Audit Negara at http://www.audit.gov.my/. He encouraged the public to read it for themselves in order that the real perspective be understood and appreciated.

“Clearly, critics saying the project being in a ‘mess’, is inaccurate. And quoting the Auditor General to having said that, is an allegation made out to mislead falsely and mischievously."

The objective of the dialogue session with the NGOs was to reassure pressure groups and clear the existing confusion related to the alleged ‘mess’.

NFCorp also welcomed news that the government would appoint an accounting audit firm to conduct a due diligence and audit on the project which would help clear the air once and for all, and put into perspective the true picture of the project. It will help allay public concerns and criticism as the findings of the independent audit would bring out the hard facts of the project.

More importantly, the company said it would also correct the misperception and restore the company’s credibility as a running concern that has since been dented by irresponsible allegations.

NEWS RELEASE prepared and issued on behalf of National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd (NFCorp) by public relations consulting firms - GRA Communications Sdn Bhd and Prestige Communications Sdn Bhd.