The freeze of the assets of the National Feedlot Centre (NFC) pending investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Police is not adequate and does not inspire confidence that this is a prelude to a no-holds-barred full inquiry into the RM300 million NFC scandal.
Announcing the freeze on NFC assets yesterday, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said he had discussed with the Minister for Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil the decision to take three weeks leave from her ministerial duties, adding:
“I’ve discussed with her the decision to take leave. It is an appropriate decision as it allows the authority to carry out a thorough investigation.
“Datuk Seri Shahrizat said she was willing to be investigated fully. What happens after this will depend on the outcome of the investigation.”
Nobody expects Shahrizat to return to the Cabinet or Parliament after the expiry of her three-week leave expiring on Feb. 3, 2012.
But what is significant and ominous in Najib’s statement is the implication that before she was finally pressured to “voluntarily” go on three-weeks leave on January 12, she had successfully resisted any “full investigation” into her role in the RM300 million NFC scandal.
The question was how she could successfully resist a “full investigation” into her role in the NFC scandal for more than eleven weeks since release of the Auditor-General’s Report 2010 on the “Beef Valley” scandal in the last week of October 2010, followed by a series of revelations of the misuse of the NFC funds turning it into a “Cattle Condo” scandal.
Long after she has left the political scene, two of the most unforgettable images of Shahrizat in the RM300 million NFC scandal causing permanent image problem to UMNO will be her defiant “rolling up her sleeve” gesture at the recent UMNO Wanita General Assembly declaring her “innocence” and her subsequent rhetoric question: “Tell me, which UMNO leader does not have problem?”
Najib said he had asked the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar to look into NFC’s future directions and to find the best solution for the centre.
This is totally unacceptable as Muhyiddin and Nor Omar are among the Ministers, one being Agriculture Minister at the time of the approval of the RM300 million NFC project and the latter as the current Minister in charge of the project, who owe the Malaysian public a fully accounting of why they had allowed the NFC scandal to reach such a disgraceful proportion under their charge.
What the country needs is an independent, no-holds-barred public inquiry into the RM300 million National Feedlot Corporation scandal, in particular the role of all implicated Ministers and leaders, including Muhyiddin and Noh Omar as former and current Agriculture Minister and Shahrizat, and other UMNO political leaders still unknown.
Is Najib prepared to announce such a public inquiry or even to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry fully assisted by the police and the MACC into the NFC scandal, declassifying all Cabinet and official documents for such an inquiry?
#1 by pwcheng on Sunday, 15 January 2012 - 2:49 pm
UMNO will never dare to take the bull by the horns. What can we expect of people with only cow brains. Its hell of a joke when the two jokers who are directly responsible for the fiasco are now told to put that cow-house in order. In fact they should be put off at least temporarily until the full investigations are completed. UMNO consists of only a bunch of clowns.
#2 by HJ Angus on Sunday, 15 January 2012 - 3:00 pm
aahhh…he’s giving them a chance to hide the cows in the condos!
Maybe Najib is being shrewd in this case. After all his deputy, who has been counteracting all his directives, was in charge and Najib is giving him enough rope to bring the cows home.
#3 by Godfather on Sunday, 15 January 2012 - 3:16 pm
They are simply preparing the groundwork for Sodomy III. Anwar will be charged with consensual sex with a cow in a Bangsar apartment owned by NFC. They won’t make the same mistakes with the DNA handling this time.
#4 by Not spoon fed on Sunday, 15 January 2012 - 3:44 pm
Economic Planning Unit which is chaired by MCA, MIC, PBB beside these UMNOputras like Najib.
Do you think Najib didn’t know about this project at the EPU meeting?
Just like do you think Najib (who was defence minister) did not know about buying the 2 submarines?
Do you think Najib didn’t know about his staffs took out C4 explosives?
Do you think Najib didn’t know about paying RM500 million to his close aide/friend’s wife?
Malaysian high court has never questioned the motives of the 2 polis of blowing up the Mongolian mother.
Malaysian high court also has never mentioned about Najib.
These are reported well by SUARAM (Suara Malaysia:http://173.230.136.137/?page_id=846 ).
He now has no choice but to take some action. It must be few persons get involved including the agricultural minister.
#5 by Not spoon fed on Sunday, 15 January 2012 - 3:48 pm
Those who possess the “grandfather” title, their title must be taken out for corruption, unfairness etc.
This title is too much in Malaysia. Having a “Tun” like Mathir who often criticised Chinese for too much greediness. Mathir is not fit to have “Tun”.
Those having tan sri like Ling Leong Sicked, also not fit to have such title!
#6 by boh-liao on Sunday, 15 January 2012 - 4:08 pm
“A man who stole 11 cans of Tiger beer and Guinness stout was jailed for five years.”
What’s d appropriate sentence 4 Toyol? Srz n family when found guilty of stealing our $$?
Rakyat with $$ in EPF VERY angry with NR
His Sara 1 Malaysia scheme promised 2 transform RM5K savings to RM13K in 5 yrs
Wahlau, he got Midas touch leh, so good return on savings
No wonder his stumpy wife got $$$ 2 buy expensive hand bags n diamond rings
Y CAN’T he promise 2 give 15% pa or better interest 2 EPF savings?
Dis will greatly benefit rakyat what
#7 by boh-liao on Sunday, 15 January 2012 - 5:21 pm
With his Midas touch, NR will NOT b OUT of JOB
Greece, Italy n Spain all rushing 2 appoint NR as financial consultant n saviour
They each will give 5000 billion Euro 2 NR 2 transform 2 13000 billion Euro in 5 yrs
#8 by monsterball on Sunday, 15 January 2012 - 5:27 pm
If an independent public inquiry committee approved….more heads will roll…including the PMs..past and present.
Therefore…you can conclude it is another wayang kulit arranged to fool Malaysians..not one but many many times.
Commentators have said it all.
When they have no choice but to find Toyo guilty of corruptions cheating RM25 million…it is one year jail….out in 7 months.
Remember Abdullah Ang jailed …when Mahathir was PM?
He could go in and out of jail…no problem….because he was Mahathir’s crony.
#9 by HJ Angus on Sunday, 15 January 2012 - 6:38 pm
the post of PM does not make anyone above the law.
Otherwise we are forever doomed to a heritage of thieving leaders!
#10 by Jeffrey on Sunday, 15 January 2012 - 8:17 pm
“Tell me, which UMNO leader does not have problem?” Shahrizat’s rhetorical question. If true, then someone should explain why she is the only one investigated and required to go on leave! In the ordinary course of such scandal, investigation should proceed at 2 levels: first, whether there was impropriety at govt’s level in the giving of the govt’s soft loan of RM250 million in 2008 to NFC for such a project; second, whether at NFC’s level, upon the loan being disbursed, NFC’s officers have properly utilised it for the purpose it is intended or otherwise committed criminal breach of trust. As far as enquiring into Shahrizat’s role (at both levels), it is question whether at government level she was involved and had participated in decision making for loan to be granted to her family owned company in conflict of interest but if the answer to that is “no”, then it does not exclude investigation of who else and those others who at government level had approved such a loan, and whether proper procedures had been adhered to. Investigation at NFC’s level is more concerning whether she has, as shareholder, done anything to facilitate NFC’s improper use of the loan (if indeed impropriety of utilisation were established).
#11 by Jeffrey on Sunday, 15 January 2012 - 8:34 pm
We have a crisis of institutions here. An “independent, no-holds-barred public inquiry” requires an independent investigator and tribunal. MACC cannot be that body since it has itself being a subject of a so called “independent” Royal commission public inquiry over TBH but the suicide decision of that has left many in doubt whether that (RCI) too is independent enough forum of public enquiry. To have a public enquiry on the loan to the cattle project will open the Pandora Box as people will ask if the govt’s granting of a soft loan to NFC is necessary for transparency of governance, why not also the much greater RM4.6 billion soft loan from the Finance Ministry given to Port Klang Authority (PKA)? If Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) were asked to conduct an audit to check on financial irregularities of PKA and PKFZ’s dealings why wouldn’t it b necessary to equally get PWC or any of the big five audit firms to audit and make public NFC?
#12 by Jeffrey on Sunday, 15 January 2012 - 8:36 pm
Ooops – “…as people will ask if A PUBLIC INVESTIGATION OF the govt’s granting of a soft loan to NFC is necessary for transparency of governance…”
#13 by Jeffrey on Sunday, 15 January 2012 - 9:19 pm
According to The MalaysianInsider report 15th Jan, ‘Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi today blasted a call by Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan for Pakatan Rakyat PR to consider amnesty in minor corruption cases saying that it would only lead to increased bribery. “She should be aware that minor corruption could lead to major corruption. Corruption is like a cancer. We should weed it out irrespective of whether it is committed by ‘small fish’ or ‘big fish ’” the defence minister was quoted as saying by Bernama Online today.’ Wah liou, such commendable comment, perhaps he should be asked to comment further whether he agrees that the Cattle Feedlot Scandal deserves an independent public inquiry (Royal Commission of Enquiry).
#14 by Godfather on Monday, 16 January 2012 - 2:33 am
Zahid has a point. It is far easier to intimidate a suspect over RM 2000 than one over RM 200 million. In any case, the suspect involving millions would probably have been able to cover his/her tracks by spreading the money around.
#15 by gofortruth on Monday, 16 January 2012 - 3:25 am
This is precisely why we need to give the opposition a chance to lead as fedearal government. Then and only then, they will have the “proper mean” to clean up the mess created by BN and ascertain how much they have cheated the rakyat of all races and religions.
#16 by undertaker888 on Monday, 16 January 2012 - 7:30 am
First umno goons gave her 300 million, then 3 weeks holidays. It pays to be a crook in umno.
UMNO = u makan no objection.
and they think people would buy in with this statement …”… for the authorities to make a thorough investigation.”. They think we are stupid or what. That’s high time for Noh and that cowhead minister to shred papers.
#17 by waterfrontcoolie on Monday, 16 January 2012 - 8:09 am
Corruption cannot be eradicated over night for sure but it also take some time for the Civil service to get use to the corrupt environment. The service can only close “both ayes” when they see that the BOSS above [as defined by Nazri ” who is the Boss”?] has been closing his eyes all the time and this has had taken for over a generation; since the 80s [ we have to be fair to the Alliance’] In an environment where any questioning can lead you to Zimbabwe; can you blame the Civil servants for bending to the practice of the day? We have reached the stage where like a cancerous organ which cannot generate any will to cure itself. The only cure is to REMOVE it! By the way, is Cintanegara taking a sabbathical leave? Do say your piece that this is your policy of enriching all the Malays or REAL Malays in this country??
#18 by TheWrathOfGrapes on Monday, 16 January 2012 - 8:27 am
The government’s response and foot-dragging in this Cow-gate makes no cow sense. Full of cock-and-bull story and bovine excreta. For those who seek justice – you can wait until the cows come home or do you seriously think that cows are able to jump over the moon?
So, don’t cow-peh-cow-bu.
#19 by HJ Angus on Monday, 16 January 2012 - 8:37 am
why should the cows come home?
They stay in a nice condo!
#20 by TheWrathOfGrapes on Monday, 16 January 2012 - 9:36 am
Okay, slight correction – cows coming home to their nice condo units.
BTW – I like Angus beef. ;)
#21 by dagen on Monday, 16 January 2012 - 9:59 am
Umno is fixated with lembus. The head of the lembus used to be lembuddin bin kerismuddin. Now he seems to have gone quiet. Serves him right. A cowgirl is taking over his position as the head of that lembu team.
#22 by sotong on Monday, 16 January 2012 - 10:13 am
The project is not feasible from the start…….it’s not their own money, nobody cares!
#23 by k1980 on Monday, 16 January 2012 - 11:18 am
cintanegara says to the mamak begum— I give you my 2 rambutans, you give me your 2 condos
#24 by k1980 on Monday, 16 January 2012 - 11:52 am
KJ says to the mamak begum– I give you my 2 buah telur, you give me your 2 condos
#25 by cskok8 on Monday, 16 January 2012 - 3:47 pm
So is it RM 250 million or RM 300 million that these cows received?????
#26 by Cinapek on Tuesday, 17 January 2012 - 12:33 am
The ministers implicated is not limited to Muhyuddin and Nor Omar only. There is also Khairy Jamaluddin and Pak Lah under whose watch when this project was awarded to Sharizat’s husband.
Their involvement is obvious. They were the ones who were the first to defend Sharizat.
#27 by boh-liao on Tuesday, 17 January 2012 - 3:07 am
Investigate Agriculture Ministry too, says Singapore daily (well said indeed, better than our bo hood msm)
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/investigate-agriculture-ministry-too-says-singapore-daily
#28 by SENGLANG on Tuesday, 17 January 2012 - 10:37 am
The temptation to spend 250 million soft loan is so great that. The first thing come to mind will be which car is the best to suit the company. The first thing to search is the car. Then come to office. The location must be porch and the address must be prestige. No problem is high premium is paid for the rental. Class must have performance last. Do not tell them to operate in a ulu address su Solaris Kiara just sound nice. Then come to renovations as many many items for renovation can be bought using credit cards. The wall must be decorated with expensive fine arts with or with the cows in the back grounds. Such just spend and spend the soft loans is on the way. No need to pay mah?
#29 by SENGLANG on Tuesday, 17 January 2012 - 3:41 pm
Many thing can be very simple if you want to but it can also make it very difficult and complicated. Since the Auditor General’s report on NFC come out and follow by PKR various exposure, the games start. As usual those Minister one by one take their roles with one single objective is to denial any wrong doing in what ever manner no matter how illogical their argument can be, just denial and find repairmen later. But with the GE drawing near they find this time around this potato was simply too hot to handle despite many big guns has come to her rescues. So finally yet refuse to surrender, off course it will be impossible for BN records to admit any wrong doing as the their grand master TM sai “ who want to admit their own mistake”. So she take a more political calculated and face saving way as usual, go on leave and let the “authority” to investigate. That authority who has earlier and as usual come out quick to announce , as seem they will lost time to please their master, that they have not find any wrong doing with a as usual qualification that investigation is on going, and more witnesses will be call etc.
So the script go on and on. Dear folks don’t you all think this script has been written and play it over and over again by BN? So they are still believe by bullying their head in the sand that the people will be con first time, second and third time and forever? To them the people other than BN are such a fool ?
Have fun with this script, but remember to awake just before next GE.