NFC boss claims trial to 4 charges

National Feedlot Corporation executive chairperson Mohamad Salleh Ismail has claimed trial to two counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) and two counts of violating the Companies Act 165.

He was charged under Section 409 of the Penal Code for CBT for using RM9,758,140 of NFC funds to purchase two condominium units at the One Menerung complex in Bangsar, for the National Meat and Livestock Corporation on Dec 1 and Dec 4, 2009.

The 64-year-old was also charged under the same section for transferring RM40 million of NFC funds to the National Meat and Livestock Corporation between May 6 and Nov 16, 2009.

In both cases, Mohamad Salleh, who appeared calm and was dressed in a dark striped suit, is also charged with using the funds without the approval of the NFC’s annual general meeting, an offence under Section 132 of the Companies Act 1965.
He faces no less than two years' and no more than 20 years' imprisonment with whipping and a fine for the offences under the Penal Code.
He also faces a five-year jail term or RM30,000 fine for the offences under the Companies Act.
In mitigation, defence counsel Badrulmunir Bukhari, who was acting on behalf of Muhammad Shafee Abdullah who is currently overseas, asked that bail be set at RM50,000 for each charge.

He argued that there is no flight risk as Mohamad Salleh is here to clear his name of the charges, and given full cooperation to the authorities investigating the matter.
Bail set at RM500,000
Deputy public prosecutor Dzulkifli Ahmad agreed to the amount, but judge SM Komathy Suppiah said a higher bail had been set for previous cases which involved a lower quantum of money.

“To ensure there is no disparity and allegations made, I set the bail at RM500,000 with one surety with the condition that the accused surrenders his passport to the court,” she said.

The case is set for mention on April 13. 

Shahrizat (left) and the couple’s eldest son, Wan Shahinur Izmir, appeared distraught when spotted in the public gallery.
Izmir posted bail.
Both refused to comment when approached after the charges were read.
Salleh, who appeared annoyed by the media, also refused to answer questions.
National Meat and Livestock Corporation is a company privately owned by Salleh and his children, who are also NFC directors.