Rafizi: Why me and not NFC chief?

PKR strategy chief Rafizi Ramli has questioned Bank Negara's move to summon him over alleged offences under the Banking and Financial Institutions Act 1989 (Bafia).

Rafizi, who was served the summons under Section 87(1)(a) of the Act, asked why the central bank did not act against National Feedlot Corporation chairperson Mohamad Salleh Ismail and his children for "openly" transferring funds "illegally" to family-owned businesses in Singapore and Kazakhstan.

"They had admitted to it and shouldn't they also be investigated by Bank Negara under the Anti-Money Laundering Act?" he asked.

Rafizi was called to Bank Negara at 2.30pm today for his statement to be recorded.


Bank Negara’s investigation against Rafizi comes after Mohamad Salleh’s police complaint against him for 21 breaches for revealing private and confidential banking details that are protected under Part XIII of Bafia, on Secrecy and Information.
“While I respect Bank Negara’s responsibility and the authorities in conducting investigations, but I’m worried that the constant pressure on me and Johari Mohamad (a former Public Bank clerk) are to cover up the scandal involving NFC,” Rafizi said in a statement today.

The issue is believed to be related to claims by Rafizi on purchases in KL Eco City by Mohamad Salleh and his family, which are worth at least RM10 million.

'The authorities do not welcome whistleblowers'

However, hauling him up for investigations showed that “the authorities do not welcome whistleblowers”.

Rafizi challenged Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to deny that his administration was victimising informants and protecting those involved in corruption.

“This phenomena worries me, because it can instil fear among the people and stop them from coming forward to expose discrepancies.”

On March 12, Mohamad Salleh (left in picture) was charged in a sessions court in Kuala Lumpur with two counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) and two offences under the Companies Act 1965 involving a total of RM49.7 million, related to the purchase of two luxury condominium units.

On the first charge, he is alleged to have, as a NFC director, committed CBT involving RM9,758,140 by issuing staggered payments to purchase the two units in the One Menerung condominium block in upmarket Bangsar.

On the second charge, Mohamad Salleh is alleged to have committed the same offence by transferring RM40 million via a NFC cheque into the National Meat and Livestock Corporation Sdn Bhd’s account for its use.

The two charges under Section 409 of the Penal Code provide for a jail term of two to 20 years and whipping, and a possible fine, upon conviction.

NFC was given the loan for the National Feedlot Centre project to produce beef for the nation, which the auditor-general found was not meeting its targets.

Mohamad Salleh, the husband of former women, family and community development minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, runs NFC and its associate companies with his three children.

The family has initiated legal action against and has been counter-sued by Rafizi and PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin for previous exposes relating to NFC.