KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 — PKR accused the police today of performing “damage control” on Umno’s behalf after a senior policemen gave an update on the ongoing investigations into the National Feedlot Centre (NFC) project.Deputy Inspector General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar said no element of criminal breach of trust had been found so far in the probe.
“Why issue such a statement when investigations are still continuing... and just as the high profile Umno general assembly gets underway?” PKR vice president N. Surendran said in a statement today.
He called Khalid’s statement a “whitewash” and noted that Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, whose family was awarded the project, has not had her statement recorded yet.
“It seems Deputy Inspector General Police Khalid expects the public to believe that there is no criminal wrongdoing by any person, despite public funds being used to purchase luxury condos, overseas trips, luxury cars and prime land,” he added.
Khalid (picture) had said this morning police had interviewed over 74 people in connection with the probe, including family members of Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat.
“However, we are still continuing our investigation into the issue and will call the minister to record her statement if the need arises,” he said.
PKR has repeatedly attacked the project with various allegations that “loans” of over RM84 million were given by the NFC to companies owned by Shahrizat’s family including RM13.8 million for two luxury condominiums in Bangsar.
Shahrizat’s husband and NFC boss Datuk Seri Mohamad Salleh Ismail has defended the purchase of the condo as well as denied the alleged failure of the project.
PKR scoffed at Mohamad Salleh’s remarks, saying he had failed to deny a single allegation and had merely offered explanations for the many discrepancies involving the NFC.
The opposition party made further claims yesterday, alleging that RM5 million was spent to buy a Mercedes Benz and land in Putrajaya and to channel RM588,585 for companies owned by Shahrizat’s family as well as to pay RM455,000 to holiday tour operator Impian Global Network Services.
Both opposition and Umno MPs have called for Shahrizat to resign over the scandal which has led to a police investigation for criminal breach of trust.
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.
But Agriculture Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar responded on October 31 that the project was a success as it had met its target of 8,000 cattle by 2010 once 5,742 slaughtered cattle were taken into account.
Shahrizat has maintained her stand that she had nothing to do with the company managed by her husband and children.
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