'Probe Najib, too, for food project negligence'

National leaders and civil servants acting on behalf of the government in private companies involved in the food supply project should also be probed for negligence, PKR's Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli (below) said.

He said that this would include Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, as Gedung Makanan Negara (National Food Bank) project was his idea in the first place.

“KPFQ Foods Sdn Bhd is a joint venture with Koperasi Permodalan Felda (M) Bhd and Silver Bird Group Bhd, which was formed to act as a marketing agent for food and agriculture products from Felda settlements through the National Food Bank project...

“(The project) was launched by Najib on September 3, 2009 and was his idea,” Rafizi said in a statement.

Commenting on the charging of two KPFQ officials for criminal breach of trust (CBT) today, he said investigators should question how the project was approved in the first place.

He said that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should also ask if the private companies capabilities were duly assessed, and who is accountable for wastage of public funds.

This, he said, is especially important when considering the fact that Silver Bird has various dealings with government agencies and has shareholders with “good ties” with the government.

“As such, I urge that investigations are not limited to the alleged offence and abuse of power by KPFQ leadership but expanded to include elements of negligence and...by top national leaders, so that there is accountability within the agencies,” he said.

As 'embarassing' as NFC

He added that Najib (right), especially, should answer because this project involved funds meant for the welfare of Felda settlers.

He said that this is similarly “embarrassing” as the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) scandal, which “involved the welfare of poor cattle farmers”.

Felda, or the Federal Land Development Authority, is an agency under the Prime Minister's Department.

KPFQ former chief executive officer Sarchu Sawal and former director Tan Han Kook today pleaded not guilty to CBT of more than RM30 million.

MACC said the duo were arrested for the alleged offence, involving a food project which never took off despite funds already disbursed.

Last December, two other KPFQ officials pleaded not guilty to falsifying documents to apply for “banker's acceptance” amounting to over RM67 million.

Sarchu and Tan were today represented by lawyers Harvinderjit Singh and William Leong, who is also PKR treasurer and Selayang MP.