Rafizi to counter-sue Shahrizat

This is to ensure the National Feedlot Corporation (NFCorp) scandal stays in court, says the PKR strategic director.

PETALING JAYA: PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli said today he will initiate a counter-suit against Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil to ensure the National Feedlot Corporation (NFCorp) scandal “stays in court”.

He said the legal proceeding against Shahrizat, filed this morning at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, was done in anticipation of a sabotage.

Rafizi said he was concerned that Shahrizat may either slow down the court proceeding against him or even back out to avoid the disclosure of important documents on the scandal and also drag other government leaders into the debacle.

“So after consultation with my lawyers, I have decided to counter-sue Shahrizat based on the libel made on me pertaining to the NFCorp scandal at the Umno Wanita general assembly on Nov 30, 2011,” he told reporters here.

Shahrizat, the Wanita Umno chief, had called Rafizi a “traitor” to the country in her opening speech, describing his exposé on NFCorp as a direct attack on the wing and create chaos in the country.

The speech was seen as an attempt to rally support as pressure was mounting on the minister to quit her post.

Shahrizat’s family members, who run NFCorp, are accused of using part of the RM250 million federal soft loan meant for a cattle-breeding project to finance private expenses, including the purchase of prime land and luxury properties locally and overseas.

She and her family have denied any wrongdoing and sued Rafizi and PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin for RM100 million for defamation.

The two responded by welcoming the suit, saying it would give them the chance to call in all those involved in the scandal and disclose important documents.

Rafizi said today his counter-claim would give him the advantageous position of the plaintiff, meaning that he could pre-empt any possible attempts by Shahrizat to “escape”.

“The case will have its day in court,” he said.

He said Shahrizat and her Barisan Nasional colleagues can no longer avoid the allegations levelled against her and her family.

The counter-claim was also made after considering the lacklustre response from the police and the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) in taking action, he added.