Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, the Wanita UMNO leader and Minister for Women, Family and Community Development, has returned from her three-week leave from Cabinet with all guns blazing but instead of slaying the ghost of the RM330 million “cattle condo” scandal, she has only reared more monsters.
When announcing her leave on January 12, Shahrizat said: “I hope the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will be able to investigate whether or not I was involved in any of the decisions made by the government on the NFC in which my husband, Datuk Seri Dr Mohammad Salleh Ismail, is the executive chairman.”
Has Shahrizat been cleared of any impropriety, abuse of power or conflict of interest in the RM330 million NFC “cattle condo” scandal by the MACC?
The answer is in the negative. As the purpose of her Ministerial leave has not been achieved, shouldn’t her Cabinet leave be extended until a clear answer is available?
In the absence of any unequivocal exoneration by the MACC, the only alternative open to Shahrizat is to rebut one by one the many specific allegations of abuses of public funds or her knowledge/complicity, for instance allegations like the RM13.8 million used for purchasing luxury condominiums in Bangsar, RM10 million to purchase a luxury condominium in Singapore, RM3.4 million for plots of land in Putrajaya, RM830,000 for holiday trips, RM530,000 for a luxury car, payment of RM600,000 credit card bill for Shahrizat’s family, etc.
Shahrizat has not done this but instead launched a deplorable and most unbecoming below-the-belt attack against Rafizi Ramli, PKR strategic director, who had led the three-month exposes of the RM330 million NFC scandal – further highlighting the weakness of her case!
What cannot escape attention of astute political observes is that Shahrizat had been abandoned by the UMNO leadership to fend on her own – in the face of increasing pressures for her to accept responsibility and resign from the Cabinet coming not only from her predecessor as Wanita Umno chief, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and her current Deputy Wanita Umno chief, Datuk Kamila Ibrahim but also different levels of UMNO leadership whether from former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir or Cheras Umno division head Daltuk Syed Ali Alhabshee.
This reflects the growing impotence and isolation of Datuk Seri Najib Razak as Prime Minister and UMNO President to provide the political leadership and set the political pace in UMNO and Barisan Nasional.
Just before the Chinese New Year, the MCA President Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek in an interview blamed the Barisan Nasional government, “particularly embattled minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abd Jalil”, for the “poor handling” of the RM330 million “cattle condo” scandal, causing the public to perceive the National Feedlot Centre (NFC) project as “real rotten”.
Have the four MCA Cabinet Ministers the political courage to put things right by insisting at Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting that Shahrizat should extend her Ministerial leave until she is cleared of any abuse of power and/or conflict of interest in the RM330 million NFC scandal, and better still, to ask for a full-scale Royal Commission of Inquiry into the NFC scandal?
#1 by dagen on Monday, 6 February 2012 - 12:52 pm
Like dr mamak who then was a real burden for umno, now this perempuan bumi jenis celup too is turning out to be a burden to umno. I wonder what those bumi jenis tulen have to say to this.
#2 by Jeffrey on Monday, 6 February 2012 - 1:07 pm
Her coming back to work without unequivocal exoneration by the MACC implies ahead that she will be exonerated. True UMNO is divided over the NF Corp issue just like the way it is probably over the Anwar’s acquittal verdict regarding whether to appeal, and other issues. Which is natural as the intra party’s contest over these issues is but a mere mirror reflection of the intense factional power struggle going on there. It is trite that she cannot come out “with all guns blazing” without having a big cannon behind supporting her confidence. The political outcome of her position is the political outcome of which faction within the party that as upper hand, and it is doubtful it’s the president’s faction…The fact that big power broker (an ex premier) opined that she had better go means her position is not secure with the stamp of finality. Big power broker understands clearly that UMNO’s branding/credibility is under siege and she and her backer(s) are not helping the situation.
#3 by k1980 on Monday, 6 February 2012 - 1:15 pm
In China, her family would have been billed for the bullet fired into the back of her head, and no such nonsence as having 3 weeks paid leave to seek solace from god in the hol y land
#4 by Jeffrey on Monday, 6 February 2012 - 1:38 pm
‘On whether her refusal to step down from her government and party positions would affect Umno’s reputation, Shahrizat said controversies are common to all political parties/politicians. “Look, get real okay, all over the world, every government and political party, be it government or opposition are going through challenging times, there is nothing extraordinary or peculiar of what is happening to me or any other leaders,” she said’ – Malaysiakini Nigel Aw Feb 5, 2012.
#5 by Jeffrey on Monday, 6 February 2012 - 1:41 pm
I think Sharizat was reported to have also said before, “who in UMNO have no problems?” So she is appealing to Aristotle’s justice formula – like cases must be treated alike, and unlike cases unalike, proportionate to the differences between them. Now it is reported in TheMalaysianInsider that the SC’s chairman would reportedly step down over controversy over SC’s role in Sime Darby Bhd’s acquisition of a 30% stake in Eastern & Oriental Bhd (E&O). That’s Ok, its distinguished, only her husband isalleged to have increased stock holding & besides corporate governance (to be seen above controversy) is different from political governance of relatively lower standards as practised in this great country. Sharizat must be thinking that based on prevailing low standards of political governance why should she resign when others who likely had the benefit of the govt soft loan are not asked to do so? That’s not “justice” – not treating like alike. People who liove in glass houses should not throw stones at hers! If she has to resign then all implicated will have to resign or if not back her solidly to stay! Can she be blamed for thinking like that?
#6 by SENGLANG on Monday, 6 February 2012 - 2:09 pm
The main reason that it was not easy to get her resign simply because like any of her, she know very well all those within BN who are minister are tainted with corruption in one or other. Her former boss ask her to resign but she know very well she was not the person who should ask her to resign because when her former boss, (ex wanita president) also as tainted as her. That was the reason she can shamelessly defend herself. May she compare to this NFC’s scandal as peanut as other of her colleague involved in. Just look as PKFZ magnitude of money involve so she may just have the thinking that while PKFZ can defend until todat, why should she resign just because of 330m, it was peanut really.
So you can see how arrogant BN leaders can be, because every one are tainted with corruption.
#7 by sheriff singh on Monday, 6 February 2012 - 2:30 pm
This is typical UMNO behaviour – never wanting to leave the scene even when it is obvious you are no longer wanted, supported or needed. These people feel they are God’s gift to UMNO and cannot be removed.
Her days are numbered but she just won’t read the writing on the wall which says clearly: ”Go !!”.
Maybe she just has got no place to go as everyone is avoiding her like the plague.
#8 by k1980 on Monday, 6 February 2012 - 2:34 pm
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/najib-says-welfare-state-leads-to-economic-ruin/
Ah Jib Sor Gor, you corrupt state will lead to economic ruin faster than PR’s welfare state. At least in a welfare state, the rakyat benefits whereas in your corrupt state, only mamak begum benefits from your RM350 million handout for her to rear cows. Your disappeared RM350 million would have been enough to give 700,000 poor families RM500 each!
#9 by Bigjoe on Monday, 6 February 2012 - 4:10 pm
Actually I am somewhat confused. While its clear she has returned because UMNO/BN is badly divided and she has a chance of playing the sides against each other to stay in power, what is not clear is why she chose to built up the hype about her return and yet there is little substance in attacking her problem. Is it so bad in UMNO that she think all she need is to be on the right side and all of her problems will be taken care of by her party and bosses?
The less substance she has to fix her the problem on her own, the more its evidence that situation is bad in UMNO/BN..
#10 by Loh on Monday, 6 February 2012 - 5:37 pm
Shahrizat asked which UMNO leaders had no problem, like what is related to her problem. She was right that if others do not resign, she may not have to. So the problem is UMNO’s practice, using government funds to enrich cronies. By remaining in the Cabinet, she only reminds people of NFC, and of UMNO’s practice. Najib accepts that it is common knowledge that UMNO is corrupted; sacking Shahrizat would not make UMNO any cleaner.
Najib should call for election soon. As soon as UMNO is out of power, the new government will know whether Shahrizat was correct when MACC investigates all UMNO leaders.
#11 by undertaker888 on Monday, 6 February 2012 - 5:55 pm
Shahrislut back from holidays. MACC still on holidays. Money still disappearing from our coffers. House of thieves this country is full of.
#12 by Godfather on Monday, 6 February 2012 - 6:47 pm
Shahrizat is screaming at the top of her lungs: “I ain’t going down alone !” The UMNO bigwigs are obviously hearing her.
#13 by Godfather on Monday, 6 February 2012 - 7:34 pm
They have played the race card (“Malays as entrepreneurs” and “whistleblower is a non-Malay”) and she has played the religious card (“All@h gives me strength to fight on”). However, they have no answers to any of the allegations of abuse of govt funds, and total lack of accountability. Meatworks is privately owned by Cowgirl’s family and apparently has no direct connection to NFCorp but did they use part of the soft loan for Meatworks in Malaysia and Singapore ?
#14 by monsterball on Monday, 6 February 2012 - 9:09 pm
With so much evidences…yet MACC cannot do the right thing?
Sure they can…but they will not.
It will lead to a domino brick theory….one falls…many will follow.
Shahrizat leaving her ministerial position for Najib to decide…is a smart move by her.
MACC Chief,,is nothing but a tool appointed by Najib….and the comedians keep performing….where RM330 million in question seems to disappear into thin air.
#15 by monsterball on Monday, 6 February 2012 - 9:19 pm
Shahrizat said…she is taught not to argue with people older than her.
Mahathir….Radidah asking her to resign,,,,cannot argue la. Leave it as it is.
She said she is after naughty young ones out to discredit her.
She is hinting at …PAS ….Rafizi Ramli.
So far…like rolling up her sleeves…it’s all talks…performing side shows…no actions.
Corrupted ones in UMNO b are second grade actors….can only fool the not so smart and idiots.
#16 by waterfrontcoolie on Monday, 6 February 2012 - 9:33 pm
Just look at her gesture in the Malay Mail this morning! With her right hand Index finger pointing to the world! Indicating … F…. Off? We should not be surprised by such gesture as it part of 30 years of free gravy train making its round. It is her turn to ride the gravy train, so she says ” which UMNO leader has no problem!”. In such environment, as she rightly said, Why should I? Just because my Family is caught??? All this exposure means nothing until my agred coffer is fulfilled. The 90% of Malays or Bumi can cry or better still, still believe in PERKASA slogan of Chinese taking over; notwithstanding the fact the Chinese makes less than 3% of any sector of the Gomen machinery! So to the members of the Majority of this Nation, you are been made suckers all these years and you bankrupt politicians in the like of Ibrahim, Ali to continue to lead you by your nose; unless you are willing to wake up; we fellows Malaysians can only pray for you!!
#17 by Godfather on Monday, 6 February 2012 - 9:34 pm
So close to elections and they won’t take the risk of having some disgruntled Cowgirl drop hints of other wrongdoings. She’s saying that Najib might be the one-term PM if she’s hung out to dry.
#18 by boh-liao on Monday, 6 February 2012 - 9:52 pm
Didn’t rakyat hear loud n clear scream: Look ppl, ME n my FAMILY jiak bo pa ko, we WANT 2 hv MORE softloans, MORE cows, MORE condos; OTHERS jiak much more than us, dis is 1M’sia mah, LEAVE us alone!!
#19 by monsterball on Monday, 6 February 2012 - 10:26 pm
For years…you see the cultured …timid graceful looking… Shahrizat photos…a politician with few words and lost to Nurul…also not much fuss….like agreeing the best person won….like a gentle lady.
All of a sudden…a new Shahrizat emerges..with sleeve rolled up….looking for a fight….face expressions…totally changed….angry…tongue twisting talking….a low class lady talking now.
Why the sudden 180% change?
What we see is today is the real Shahrizat…fighting for her life.
Previously…it’s all acting…for she never had it so good…with RM250 million and credit cards…to do as she likes.
#20 by yhsiew on Monday, 6 February 2012 - 10:27 pm
It is rare to find such a “thick skin” person.
#21 by monsterball on Monday, 6 February 2012 - 10:31 pm
You write with deep thoughts and get moderated ..just because I write straight and direct?
That’s discouraging Malaysians to be truthful too.
Or maybe protecting the blog and commentator being visited by unwanted visitors?
But with a little bit of luck…it will be approved.
It seems the moderation bar some words or names…cannot be used.
#22 by negarawan on Monday, 6 February 2012 - 11:18 pm
After making three umrahs within two months, she comes back without any sign of humility, calling people by derogatory names. She can go for ten umrahs and she is still a corrupt and greedy UMNO politician. Shame on you and family Sarizat!
#23 by gofortruth on Tuesday, 7 February 2012 - 2:48 am
You can sense both MACC and the police and possibly some accounting wizards are working overtime to try to cover up the mess for her/BN.
#24 by boh-liao on Tuesday, 7 February 2012 - 3:48 am
D more SHE YELLs, d more her dress bcomes d EMPEROR’s NEW CLOTHES
Mirror, mirror on d wall, Y is there dis DISGUSTING old COW/hag standing here
#25 by negarawan on Tuesday, 7 February 2012 - 8:15 am
Yes, this is probably going on now. This is what UMNO does. If they can cover up Altantuya case, this is peanuts….
#26 by k1980 on Tuesday, 7 February 2012 - 8:40 am
http://www.nst.com.my/local/general/malacca-cleansed-of-evil-spirits-1.43003
The NFC needs a wangkang to cleanse it of evil (corrupt) spirits
#27 by negarawan on Tuesday, 7 February 2012 - 10:12 am
The wangkang will sink due to overloading
#28 by Cinapek on Tuesday, 7 February 2012 - 2:41 pm
Did anyone verified whether she actually went to Mecca? And three times in two and half months? Strange for someone who claims she has just came back to make that kind of statement against Rafizi.