Shahrizat had used taxpayers’ money meant to finance the NFC to purchase a luxury condominium in Singapore

Quizzed on the latest revelation by PKR concerning a luxury condo in Singapore, the minister says that she is merely the wife of the NFC chairman.

KUALA LUMPUR: Shahrizat Abdul Jalil today dodged questions on the latest RM10 million Singapore condominium exposé made by PKR and merely reiterated her non-involvement in the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) scandal.

Bombarded by questions from reporters at a charity event here, the Women, Family and Community Development Minister again said she has no ties with the national cattle farming project apart from being “only the wife” of its chairman.

“I’ve said it before… legally and professionally, I am not involved in the NFC.

“I am just the wife of the NFC chairman. Don’t all women and families have husband?”

In the latest assault on the Umno Wanita chief, PKR leaders claimed yesterday that Shahrizat had used taxpayers’ money meant to finance the NFC to purchase a luxury condominium in Singapore on Jan 27 last year.

The unit, a 2,282 square foot condominium, one of the largest available at the posh Orchard Scotts Residences on Anthony Road, was purportedly purchased under her family’s name.

Although paper trails to prove the purchase were made using NFC cash was not available, PKR leaders said the presence of several of Shahrizat’s private businesses in the island state allegedly connected to NFC’s funds was strong enough to suggest a link.

Apart from various other discrepancies concerning the cattle breeding project, Shahrizat’s family had come under fire for a purchase of two luxury condominiums worth RM14 million in upmarket Bangsar here.

But Shahrizat’s husband, Mohamad Salleh Ismail, had defended the move as a sound investment from idle money, saying the One Menerung units were rental cash-cows.

Strong support from party

The NFC scandal has forced Umno and the Najib administration to be on the defensive.

Several leaders from the ruling party have joined in the chorus of calls for Shahrizat to quit her post as they view her to be a liability to Umno’s preparation for the 13th general election.

The leaders include party supreme council member Bung Mokhtar Radin and influential former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Shahrizat claimed she has the strong backing of Umno members, especially those under her wing as reflected by the support shown at the party’s recently concluded annual general assembly.

However, several delegates have expressed concern and contempt towards her for dragging the party into the NFC mess.

Shahrizat today reiterated her belief that she has strong support from the party leaders, saying she will not allow anyone to “tell her what to do”.

She also said she will discuss her next action with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak but declined to elaborate.

“I am a veteran politician so I know what needs to be done,” she said.