Wrong mall: PKR says sorry to NFCorp

PKR apologises as allegations made yesterday regarding a supermarket venture in Singapore were factually wrong.

PETALING JAYA: PKR, the main party to unearth allegations against National Feedot Corporation (NFCorp), has publically apologised over the mistake in its latest allegation.

Yesterday, PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli said that the private company owned and operated by the family of Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, was opening a supermarket in a luxury mall complex in Singapore through one of its subsidiary companies, Farmhouse Supermarkets Pte Ltd.

He said that 28 units on the second floor (Units 08 to 35) have been rented out in The Vista Star, near the Buona Vista area of the island. However, today developers of the mall, CapitaMall, denied any links to Farmhouse.

Meanwhile, CapitaMall also said that Farmhouse Supermarket is not operating the supermarket at The Star Vista.

Clarifying the error, Rafizi said today that Farmhouse was operating in Rochester Mall instead, which is located next to The Vista Star.

“Farmhouse Supermarkets is renting units (02-08 and 02-35) in shopping complexes, developed with luxury condominiums at the address 35, Rochester Drive, Singapore,” he said, adding that the project was developed by UE One-North Developments Pte Ltd.

Rafizi also included a link to the official website of Rochester Mall which listed Farmhouse as one of its tenants. (http://www.rochestermall.com.sg/#02-08to35)

Yesterday, Rafizi also deduced that the monthly rental for the 28 units (3,000 square metres) would be about RM2.2 million. Today, he stood by this estimation as the mall was next to The Vista Star.

Rafizi, who issued the public apology to CapitaMall and NFCorp, said that although a factual error had occurred, it did not make allegations revealed ysterday any less true.

He added that questions still remain as Sharizat’s husband and NFC chairman, Mohamad Salleh Ismail, reportedly said that the company will not address Rafizi’s allegations one-by-one but rather will choose a time to address the public.

“His statement to The Malay Mail (published today) does not deny the existence of this luxury supermarket, but still defended their right to engage in any business they see fit,” he said.

“I apologise publicly to CapitalMall and NFC on factual errors that occurred; however, it does not eliminate the many questions that arise on NFCorp’s involvement in the operations of luxury supermarkets in Singapore,” Rafizi added.