Rafizi's slander cost Shahrizat her job, says husband

PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli's "slander" in the National Feedlot Centre case cost Wanita Umno chief Shahrizat Jalil her job in cabinet, her husband said.

Mohamad Salleh Ismail, who is National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) chairperson, said this when testifying in the defamation trial against Rafizi and news portal Malaysiakini today.

Cross-examined by Rafizi's lawyer, Razlan Hadri Zulkifli, Salleh disagreed that Shahrizat resigned voluntarily.

Instead, he blamed the public pressure that resulted from Rafizi's allegations against NFC.

“No, it is because of your client's slander and the great public anger that resulted (against) her. Not voluntarily resign.

"She had to go for the sake of the public,” Salleh (photo) said.

Shahrizat resigned from the cabinet on March 11, 2012, a month before her senatorship was due to expire.

NFC and Salleh filed the suit against Rafizi and Malaysiakini in 2013, on a statement in relation to loans to purchase KL Eco City Properties, made by Rafizi on March 7, 2012, which was carried by the news portal on the same date.

[More to follow]

-Mkini