No one deserves to be called 'cow minister' but didn't Shahrizat call Rafizi 'jambu'

KUALA LUMPUR -Former women, family and community development minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil (pix) said she was not aware that her husband was bidding for the National Feedlot Project through Agroscience Industries Sdn Bhd.

Testifying at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today, Shahrizat, who is suing Parti Keadilan Rakyat's strategy director Mohd Rafizi Ramli and Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin for defamation, said: "My husband did not discuss with me and I was not aware that he was bidding for the National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd (NFC) project."

She said neither her husband of 33 years and NFC chairman Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Salleh Ismail nor her children had requested assistance for the project and neither did she participate in any way to assist them.

"They know better than to ask me," she said.

Shahrizat said: "You will see why I say that there is an objective of gaining political mileage in view of the impending general election. The defendants have focused all the accusations primarily on me as a minister and Wanita Umno head."

When Shahrizat's lawyer Datuk Seri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah asked her about Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) investigations into NFC, she said: "It was a harrowing and heart-wrenching experience for me to be investigated by MACC after 30 years in politics.

"As a cabinet minister and head of Wanita Umno, I realised that by simply being investigated, my reputation was tarnished and damaged beyond repair," said Shahrizat adding that although the case had been closed the allegations continue to be circulated over the internet, where subsequent publications declaring innocence will often go unnoticed.

She said she announced her resignation on April 8, 2012, as she wanted to do the right thing. "I was being investigated by MACC, judged by the court of public opinion as a result of the lies orchestrated by the defendants. It was not tenable for me to carry out my public duties, so I resigned as a minister at the end of my term as a senator."

In her statement of claim, Shahrizat, 59, contended that the defendants' statements made in press conferences, blogs and websites were false and malicious. She is seeking general damages of RM50 million or such other sum deemed proper and just by the court, and aggravated and exemplary damages amounting to RM50 million or such other sum deemed proper and just by the court.

She is also seeking an injunction to restrain the defendants from further making statements, whether oral or through publication, in connection with any matter concerning the NFC or its related or associated companies.