NFC spent RM5m on Mercedes, Putrajaya land and holidays, PKR claims

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 — PKR alleged today the National Feedlot Centre (NFC) used RM5 million in public funds to buy a Mercedes-Benz and land in Putrajaya and disburse RM588,585 in cash to companies belonging to Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil’s family.

The latest allegation of financial irregularities by PKR in the RM250 million cattle farming project awarded to the Wanita Umno chief’s family comes after she denied any wrongdoing this morning and gained the support of delegates at the wing’s general assembly today.

PKR also said NFC issued 15 cheques to tour agency Impian Global Network Services, prompting PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli to demand the Wanita Umno chief “tell us who went on these holidays.”

Rafizi added that the RM534,622 Mercedes-Benz CLS350 bought using NFC funds channelled through the National Meat and Livestock Corporation (NMLC) and the RM588,585 transferred to Meatworks (Singapore), both companies wholly-owned by Shahrizat’s family, “have nothing to do with NFC’s business plan.”

“Umno Youth chief (Khairy Jamaluddin) has said NFC has no business in Singapore ... then why was such a huge sum transferred there?” he told a press conference in Parliament today.

PKR secretary general Saifuddin Nasution, who was also at the press conference, said the land bought in Precinct 10 Putrajaya was in a mainly residential area.

“I am sure the Putrajaya Masterplan does not involve raising cattle there,” the Machang MP said.

PKR has repeatedly attacked the project with various allegations including that “loans” of over RM84 million were given by the NFC to companies owned by Shahrizat’s family including RM13.8 million for two luxury condominiums in Bangsar.

Both opposition and Umno MPs have called for Shahrizat to resign over the scandal which has led to a police investigation for criminal breach of trust.

The Auditor-General’s Report released last month had criticised the NFC, pointing out that it was now “in a mess”.

The report said production in 2010 was only 3,289 head of cattle or 41.1 per cent of the target set.
But Agriculture Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar responded on October 31 that the project was a success as it had met its target of 8,000 cattle by 2010 once 5,742 slaughtered cattle were taken into account.

Rafizi told The Malaysian Insider that “there are enough scandals to last two years” as contained within financial and operational records as well as NFC’s correspondence that the party has obtained.