Shahrizat keeps lips sealed on NFC loan

Umno Wanita chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil (below) today remained mum on calls for the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) to return the RM250 million government loan it obtained to develop the country's national beef valley.

"I don't think I should be answering that," she said when asked to comment on PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli's call for the repayment in light of plans to re-tender the National Feedlot Centre project.

Following accusations that NFC - owned by Shahrizat's husband Mohamed Salleh Ismail - had abused the loan on luxury properties and holidays, Agriculture and Agro-based Minister Noh Omar had announced plans to re-tender the project.

Salleh was on Mar 12 charged with two counts of criminal breach of trust involving close to RM50 million in funds and another two of breaching the Companies Act.

Shahrizat's term as a senator and Women, Family and Community Minister ,too ,was not renewed in April after being plagued by the controversy.

Rafizi had called on the government to solve all outstanding issues with NFC before the re-tender including requiring the company to repay the RM250 million loan in full.

Shahrizat had sued Rafizi and PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin for defamation after liking her to the NFC scandal. The case is ongoing.

‘Ministry doing well even without me'

Shahrizat was visiting Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) this morning in her capacity as the National Welfare Foundation board of trustee chairperson to greet staff on duty during the Hari Raya Aidil Fitri holidays.

Asked to comment on the performance of her former ministry which is being temporarily helmed by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, Shahrizat said it was doing "extremely well".

"One thing that I have learnt under Najib is that the system, once you set it well, that is what makes a ministry. The system is very important and the ministry is doing extremely well," she said.

Shahrizat also announced the disbursement of RM1.06 million in funds for 83 patients at HKL under the foundation's programme who were in need of funds for various operations and treatments.