Mom: 'I didn't know my son was in NFC' Cowgate scandal

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 10 (Bernama) -- Former Women, Family and Community Development minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil told the High Court here that she did not know her second son was involved in the National Feedlot Centre project until informed about it in 2007.

In today's hearing of a defamation suit against Parti Keadilan Rakyat Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin and the party's strategic director, Mohd Rafizi Ramli, Shahrizat said she had been unaware of Wan Shahinur Izran Mohd Salleh's appointment as a director of National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd in December 2006.

"I didn't know about the bidding of the project. I only knew around 2007 after my husband (Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Salleh Ismail) said he intended to have our children return from abroad to help with it.
"It was after he had won the project," she said during cross-examination by Ranjit Singh who represented both the defendants.

To a contention that Wan Shahinur Izran was too young to be a director of the company as he was only 22 years old at the time, Shahrizat said it was not wrong as her son had graduated when he was 19 in the United States and was a top student.

She said Wan Shahinur Izran lived with her since 2004 and the other two children, Wan Shahinur Izmir, 32, and Wan Izzana Fatimah Zabedah, 26, returned home from abroad to join NFC in 2007.

Saying that the family lived together but did not concern themselves with each other's work, she added that she only paid attention to the matter after it was reported in the media and asked her husband for an explanation.

Questioned as to which parts of the defendants' statements during the press conference damaged her reputation, Shahrizat responded, "Their words made the public blame me."

Earlier in the proceedings, the court was shown a video recording of the press conference at Parliament building.

Zuraida and Mohd Rafizi were seen uttering the allegedly defamatory statements before several reporters and photographers.

On Jan 19, Shahrizat filed a defamation suit against Zuraida and Mohd Rafizi claiming they made defamatory statements about her in relation to the NFC issue.

She sought RM50 million in general damages and an additional RM50 million in exemplary and aggravated damages.

She also applied for an injunction to prevent the defendants from making the same statements, either written or verbal, on the matter.

The hearing resumes on Sept 18 before Judicial Commissioner Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera.

Related posts:

NFCorp Boss Charged With CBT in 'Cowgate' scandal!
NFCorp loses mall lease in 'Cowgate' scandal! "COW ... 

Politician Integrity the order of the day

Ceritalah By Karim Raslan

Aspiring leaders have to learn that to be elected into office is to be dutybound to one’s constituents — to be honest, scrupulous and morally good. 

WOMEN, Family and Community Develop­ment Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil has been a dynamic and forward-looking leader – a stand-out among the Umno line-up – and they will sorely miss her talents.

However, it would be incorrect to think that what she has gone through is an isolated or a one-off case. Nor is her fall wholly attributable to PKR’s director of strategies Rafizi Ramli. The young former chartered accountant is merely an agent of change in the National Feedlot Centre (NFC) saga.

In reality, the unravelling of the NFC debacle reflects deeper, global trends brought about by technology and social media – most notably the fact that we have entered the Age of Full Disclosure.

Dynamic leader: It would be incorrect to think that what Shahrizat has gone through is an isolated or one-off case.

 

In this respect, Julian Assange and WikiLeaks are emblematic of these changes.

The Age of Full Disclosure has been a rude shock for Malaysia’s political elite.

In the past, Malay bangsawan culture – the deference and respect for figures of authority – emboldened our leaders to say one thing and do another. This is no longer acceptable or sustainable.

From now on, the Malaysian public expects leaders to do as they say. The unquestioning trust and adoration that once existed have disappeared. Technology has also freed up the mind.

Moreover, Malaysians are no longer fearful of the leaders as the last vestiges of the kerajaan ethos are swept away.

Of course, as Assange has discovered, being a whistle-blower is a very lonely business. Everyone is afraid of the man (or woman) who insists on telling the truth, especially when it’s highly compromising and/or embarrassing.

The point is that surviving in “the new political landscape” and “engaging the social media” doesn’t just mean setting up Facebook and Twitter accounts as well as hiring cyber troopers to blog for you.

It also means realising that information can no longer be controlled, and modifying your behaviour accordingly.

Malaysian politicians have to realise that nothing is sacred and nothing can be hidden anymore. The most seemingly innocuous comment or odd scrap of paper can, and will, be dredged up against you.

I’ve already said that it’s no longer possible for our leaders to present one message to another community and then say something else to the next.

So what is the solution for politicians?

It’s quite simple: Don’t run for office if your affairs (and those of your family and close associates) are not in order. Probity is the order of the day. Aspiring leaders have to learn that elected office is to be dutybound to one’s constituents, not a means to enrich themselves or their families.

This in effect forces politicos to be what we’ve always wanted them to be: Honest, scrupulous and moral in the public sphere. The only difference is that we, the people, now have the power to enforce this.

Indeed, the NFC scandal heralds a long-awaited power shift in Malaysia, whereby our elite families no longer monopolise the power to set agendas or deflect issues. Technology has inverted our social pyramid.

As I said, the double standards that Malaysia’s rich and powerful once enjoyed is no longer as pervasive as before. If they abuse the public trust and misuse the country’s money, the people can now turn on them with a vengeance.

It’s no longer enough for our leaders to say: “Trust me; I know what I’m doing and what’s best for you all”.

The continued fallout over the UK phone-hacking scandals and Rupert Murdoch’s travails should also be a warning to media practitioners that they will be subject to the same scrutiny as the politicians.

They too will be called to account if their ethics are not up to scratch or if they toy with the truth. At this rate, this tukang cerita would be better off as a rice farmer! We have been served a severe, but very timely, warning.

Related posts:
NFCorp Boss Charged With CBT in 'Cowgate' scandal!
NFCorp loses mall lease in 'Cowgate' scandal! "COW" CONDO IN SINGAPORE  

NFCorp Boss Charged With CBT in 'Cowgate' scandal!

Day in court: Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Salleh Ismail (above) leaving the courthouse after being charged. Also present were his wife Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and their son Wan Shahinur Izmir Salleh (below).

By MAIZATUL NAZLINA and TERENCE TOH newsdesk@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: The executive chairman of the National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd has claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to two counts of committing breach of trust and two counts of violating the Companies Act 1965 involving RM49.7mil.

Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Salleh Ismail, 64, arrived in court at 2.15pm accompanied by his wife Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, their eldest son Wan Shahinur Izmir and other family members.

The charges were read to Dr Mohamad Salleh at 2.27pm before judge S.M. Komathy Suppiah in a packed courtroom.

The proceedings yesterday marked a new chapter in the NFCorp controversy which arose after the Auditor-General's 2010 Report highlighted the failure of the National Feedlot Centre to achieve its target, and which grew with revelations that the company had used the government-funded soft loan for purposes not related to cattle breeding.



Dr Mohamad Salleh was charged with dishonestly misusing funds amounting to RM9,758,140 through four cheques to partly finance the purchase of two units of One Menerung Condominium in Block B here for the National Meat and Livestock Corporation Sdn Bhd, which he owns with one of his sons.



According to the charge, he committed the offence in his capacity as an NFCorp director entrusted with control over the company's assets.

He is said to have committed the offence at CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd in Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, here between Dec 1 and 4, 2009.

Dr Mohamad Salleh was charged under Section 409 of the Penal Code which carries a jail term of up to 20 years, a fine and whipping.

He is also accused under Section 132(2)(a) of the Companies Act 1965 of committing the offence without approval from an annual general meeting of NFCorp to gain profit directly.

He is also accused of transferring NFCorp's funds of RM40mil through a cheque into the National Meat and Livestock Corporation's account at the same bank from May 6 to Nov 16, 2009.

For this, he faces charges of criminal breach of trust and violating the Companies Act.

Deputy Public Prosecutors Dzulkifli Ahmad, Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud and Azimul Azami prosecuted while the defence was led by Badrul Munir Bukhari.

Pleading for a lower bail, counsel Badrul Munir said Dr Mohamad Salleh had given his full cooperation to the police and prosecution, and his client was in court to clear his name. He applied to release the accused on a RM50,000 personal bond for each charge.

Dzulkifli said the prosecution had no objection to the application as they did not see why Dr Mohamad Salleh would flee the country. He, however, said the accused should surrender all his travel documents to the court.

Dzulkifli applied to the court under Section 165 of the Criminal Procedure Code for a single trial for all the charges.

Judge Komathy agreed to a single trial and set bail of RM500,000 with one surety for all four charges.
She also ordered Mohamad Salleh to surrender his passport pending mention of his case on April 13.

Wan Shahinur Izmir paid the bail.

Shahrizat was impassive in court and declined to speak to reporters after the proceedings.

Malaysian minister to step down in midst of 'Cowgate' scandal
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, right, is greeted by Malaysian Minister of Women, Family, and Community Development Shahrizat Abdul Jalil before a town hall event at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (EVAN VUCCI / AP)

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — A Malaysian minister said Sunday she will step down amid accusations that her family misused a 250 million ringgit ($83 million) government loan meant for a cattle project to purchase condominiums, vacations and a Mercedes. 

The scandal, dubbed "Cowgate,'' has greatly embarrassed Prime Minister Najib Razak ahead of general elections widely expected to be called by June. 

After months of resisting calls from critics to step down, Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said she will resign as minister of women, family and community on April 8 once her term as senator ends. 

Shahrizat said her decision had nothing to do with the cattle project run by her husband and three children but that she is stepping down as a "responsible member of the government.'' She will, however, stay on as chief of the women's wing of the ruling Malay party. 

The scandal emerged last year after the auditor-general's annual report said the National Feedlot Center run by Shahrizat's family had not met its goal of making the country 40 per cent self-sufficient in beef production by 2010. 

Since then, opposition parties have accused the company of using a government loan allocated for cattle rearing to purchase property including luxury condominiums in Malaysia and Singapore and other personal items. Shahrizat's family has denied any wrongdoing, saying the company was allowed to use the loan at its discretion and that the properties would earn it rental income. 

Police have recommended that the company's directors be charged with criminal breach of trust but the attorney-general has asked police to conduct further investigations. 

Najib said Shahrizat's resignation was a sacrifice in the interest of the government and party. 

"Although there is no proof so far that she had committed any offence in terms of law, because the (project) has drawn controversy and dispute, she was willing to withdraw from the government,'' the national Bernama news agency quoted him as saying. 

Analysts said Shahrizat's resignation wasn't surprising as Najib isn't likely to renew her senatorship. 

"Cowgate is a big blow to Najib as it shows he is slow to act on allegations of high-level corruption,'' said James Chin, a political science lecturer at Monash University in Malaysia. 

Najib's National Front coalition suffered its worst performance in 2008 polls, losing more than a third of Parliament's seats to a resurgent opposition amid widespread discontent over the government's handling of problems such as corruption and racial discrimination. 

While the ruling coalition isn't expected to lose power in upcoming polls, scandals such as Cowgate make it tougher for Najib to consolidate his power. General elections are not due until 2013 but are widely expected in the next few months.

Related Stories:
Muhyiddin commends Shahrizat's brave decision
Shahrizat absent from opening of Parliament  

Agung UMNO: Fists of fury from the wings

Tweet

Wanita, Youth and Puteri in fighting mode at their assemblies

The star

KUALA LUMPUR: The Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings of Umno were in combative mood, with their leaders striking hard at their Opposition counterparts.

Wanita chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil expressed surprise that her PKR rival Zuraida Kamaruddin “had the audacity” to demand her resignation over the National Feedlot Corporation controversy.

She dared Zuraida to ask her party president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Ismail to step down because her husband, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, “had been found guilty and charged with various offences which I don't even have the heart to say out loud”.

This, said Shahrizat, would be in accordance with Zuraida's logic behind blaming a person for the actions of his or her spouse.

 

Hear me roar: Shahrizat gesturing as she delivers her fiery speech during the Wanita Umno general assembly yesterday. – NORAFIFI EHSAN / The Star

For his part, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin mocked his PKR nemesis, Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, for suggesting that Umno change the Federal Constitution so that only a Malay can be Prime Minister.

He said PKR suggested such a proposal only because it realised that its support among the Malays was waning.

Puteri Umno chief Datuk Rosnah Rashid Shirlin, meanwhile, slammed the Opposition for “twisting facts and figures” to arouse fear among the people over the country's economic situation.

For his part, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin mocked his PKR nemesis, Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, for suggesting that Umno change the Federal Constitution so that only a Malay can be Prime Minister.

He said PKR suggested such a proposal only because it realised that its support among the Malays was waning.

Puteri Umno chief Datuk Rosnah Rashid Shirlin, meanwhile, slammed the Opposition for “twisting facts and figures” to arouse fear among the people over the country's economic situation.

Fists of fury from the wings

Analysis By Joceline Tan

Umno’s three wings were on fire as they took up their party president’s call to prepare for a do-or-die battle in the coming general election.

WHO would have thought that Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil had that sort of fire in her belly? The normally demure Wanita Umno chief was on fire as she made the most aggressive and fiery speech of her life at the opening of the wing’s assembly yesterday.

None of the senior ladies who had supported her through the years had ever seen her in this high-octane mode and it brought them to their feet, cheering their lungs out and calling out encouragement to her.

She brought the house down. Even her aides were stunned.

“I’ve never seen her speak like this,” said one of them.

Then again, Shahrizat is fighting for her life – or rather her political life. She is facing a career crisis like never before over the “cows and condos” issue. Not even her fight for the leadership of Wanita Umno had been this stressful or critical.

Shahrizat’s policy speech had begun ordinarily enough, spelling out the wing’s role and commitment to Umno and its long string of accomplishments for Malaysian women.

Midway through, she lashed out at Zuraida Kamaruddin, the PKR Wanita chief whose style of politics is, well, far from being lady-like.

Or as Shahrizat put it, “Zuraida, perempuan biadap (rude woman).

There was no stopping Shahrizat after that. She also hit out at PKR politicians who had gone to town on the cattle-rearing scheme in Negri Sembilan headed by her husband and children and which has become such a controversy.

The Women, Family Development and Community Minister seemed incensed that PKR politicians had demanded her resignation. Why should she, she said, when she had nothing to do with the project.

Instead, she challenged Zuraida to ask her own party president to resign over the alleged indiscretions of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The women loved this other side of Shahrizat, they were with her in her fit of fury against their opponents and they stayed on their feet till the very end of the speech.

Umno’s steel magnolia showed she could be a smiling tigress.

Not everyone in Umno may agree with the way she used the Wanita assembly to defend herself on the cattle scheme. But no one would disagree that she inspired her ladies to prepare for the general election.

Shahrizat knows that public opinion is not with her on this issue. Her aim is to get through the Umno assembly as best as she can. After that, she will have to evaluate her political future in the light of the Umno president’s uncompromising stand on winnable candidates.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s call for the party to get ready to fight the most difficult general election ever seems to have sunk in with the three wings.

There were lots of opposition-bashing. They went for the jugular of their opponents, pointing out their contradictions and shortcomings.

They served warning that the next election will not be a walkover for Pakatan Rakyat.

Those who spoke in the three wings have also moved on to new targets like Bersih chairman Datuk S. Ambiga, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and PKR’s deputy president Azmin Ali and strategy chief Rafizi Ramli. The old staples like Anwar, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and PAS leaders Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat and Datuk Seri Hadi Awang are not interesting to them.

Perak DAP star Nga Kor Ming was singled out for derogating Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir at a ceramah as hitam metallic haram jadah (metallic black and damned). It was a shocking racist remark for which the DAP leader has since apologised.

Of the three wings, Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin’s speech im­­pressed in terms of content, structure and the way it translated the president’s ideas in the context of the Youth wing. It was also thankfully free of rhetoric.

He explained what Najib has tried to do since taking over the party as the first Prime Minister to have been brought up in the post-Independence era. The generational shift that Najib is advocating is more than just replacing old faces with new ones; it’s about a change of worldview and he is trying to balance tradition and modernisation.

He put it well when he argued that the party’s push for winnable candidates is crucial because surveys have shown that 62% of young people are fence-sitters who will choose only parties and candidates they consider the best.

The Youth wing stands to gain most because the fresh and qualified candidates will mostly be sourced from the Youth rank and file.

The wing also has a well-thought- out assessment of the economic issues but it was the way Khairy poked holes in Pakatan’s critique of everything connected to Umno and the ruling coalition that was most interesting.

He signalled that the Youth wing knew the game the other side is playing and that it will be a fight to the end or lawan tetap lawan, as they say in Malay politics. Khairy calls it a test of survival for Umno and the Barisan.

The battle cry will get louder when the main assembly starts today. This once very powerful Malay party is determined to defend Putrajaya as much as Pakatan is eager to get there.