PKR claims NFC funds funnelled to firms owned by Shahrizat kin
Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 — Funds meant for the National Feedlot Centre (NFC) were siphoned off to associated companies owned by Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil’s family, PKR alleged today.
Party strategic director Rafizi Ramli said financial records showed that RM81.22 million of the RM250 million federal soft loan to NFC had been transferred to National Livestock & Meat Corporation Sdn Bhd (NLMC).
“For the financial year ended December 31, 2009... NLMC owed NFC as much as RM81,222,448.93 even though NLMC’s job is only to market meat,” he told reporters in the lobby of Parliament here.
Similarly, NFC gave a discount of RM2.96 million to Real Food Company Sdn Bhd (RFC), which operates a chain of luxury restaurants owned by Shahrizat’s family under the Meatworks brand.
Both NLMC and RFC are majority owned by the women, community and family minister’s (picture) husband, Datuk Dr Mohamad Salleh Ismail, and her children, Izran Mohamad Salleh and Izmir Mohamad Salleh.
“This raises questions as to whether the RM250 million loan meant specifically for the development of the feedlot centre was siphoned off to other companies owned by Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil’s family,” Rafizi said.
He also pointed out that NFC had spent RM827,579 to fund overseas visits by NFC directors, which he deemed a “very high” sum.
This meant that 11 per cent of the cost of each RM4,481 cow slaughtered by the NFC in 2009 had gone towards paying for the trips that were made by Shahrizat’s husband and children, Rafizi said.
“No wonder NFC’s operating cost is 22 times higher than cost estimates made by the Department of Veterinary Services when the ... concept paper was put together,” he said.
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.
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