The mysterious Kazakh leg of the Shahrizats' property investment may soon see the light of day but critics doubted that much would be unveiled given the political sensitivity to Prime Minister Najib Razk who has been implicated in the NFC's purchase of a RM1.7million luxury apartment there.
The National Feedlot Centre cattle project was granted to the family of former Umno minister Shahrizat Jalil to oversee in 2006, but they have been accused of abuse of power and corruptly using a RM250 million government soft loan to benefit themselves and buying a series of expensive condos and upmarket restaurant chains.
More charges - really?
Among the slew of scandals exposed by Pakata Rakyat leaders was the NFC's Kazakh apartment, widely speculated to be a wedding present to Najib's daughter who recently married into a powerful political family there.
According to DAP MP for PJ Utara Tony Pua, such a purchase was outside the parameters of NFC's power, which is restricted to the business of rearing cattle in Malaysia.
Yet while on an official visit to Kazakhstan mid-last year, Najib had witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between NFC and some Kazakh parties, which Tony said was also outside the NFC's authority.
On Monday, the federal commercial crimes chief Syed Ismail Syed Azizan confirmed to reporters that further charges may arise from investigations into the NFC's misuse of public funds in relation to the Kazakh apartment, which NFC said was used as their office.
“I won’t discount the possibility (more charges could be levelled). It’s tedious work because we have to chase the paper trail,” said Syed Azizan.
The A-G neutral?
He added that he was working closely with the Attorney-General’s Chambers on the probe and will hand them more police investigation papers when necessary.
The A-G has long been accused of being subservient to top Umno leaders and has often been accused of refusing to prosecute culprits connected to the ruling elite.
Recent examples include the son of Nazri Aziz, the minister in the PM's Department, whom CCTV cameras confirm had assaulted a condo security guard. Another is the A-G's refusal to take action against 3 MACC officers who had "interrogated to death" Selangor political aide Teoh Beng Hock.
"These are the reasons why I fear this is just more sandiwara (play-acting) to appease public anger. But when the final crunch comes, it will be NFA or No Further Action due to lack of evidence or whatever excuse Gani Patail (the A-G) will come up with," PKR vice president Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.
Malaysia Chronicle
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