MACC probes Petronas, but what about Lembu’s NFC?

November 11, 2011

We dedicate this tune chosen by our associate, Semper Fi in Los Angeles, to Chief Commissioner Dato’ Seri  Abu Kassim and the Gang at MACC. Tangkap Ikan Bilis aje. Bebas Shahrizat saja–Din Merican and his Blogging Friends and Associates:

NFC: A Report filed with MACC

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com

Teoh El Sen | November 10, 2011

A report has been filed with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the RM10 million luxury condominium allegedly purchased with money from the National Feedlot Centre (NFC), run by a minister’s family.

The report was lodged with MACC’s Selangor office here by PKR-linked NGO, Jingga 13.“Jingga 13 urges MACC to immediately investigate this serious finding and the attorney-general to charge and bring those involved in betraying the trust of the rakyat to justice,” said its chief coordinator Fariz Musa.

Fariz alleged that PKR has solid evidence to show that the family of Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who allegedly holds the majority of shares in NFC, is linked to the buying of the said condominium (One Menerung) in Bangsar.

“On December 2, 2009, NFC made four money transfers from its current account at CIMB Bank, Taman Tun Dr Ismail to Bandar Raya Developments Bhd as a full payment to purchase the One Menerung condominium,” he said.

Fariz said the four transfers were: RM699,870, RM694,150, RM4,199,220, RM4164,900; and the total amounted to RM9,758,140.

‘We have to protect our source’

Asked if Jingga 13 brought with it supporting documents for MACC, Fariz said that Jingga 13 has to protect its source, who he claimed is reliable.

He also said that Jingga 13 has no details of how many units were purchased but revealed that the units in One Menerung ranged from RM3 million to over RM10.3 million, depending on the unit sizes.

“This payment of almost RM9.8 million was recorded as “hutang” (debt) from National Meat and Livestocks Corporation Sdn Bhd (NMLC), which is also owned by Shahrizat’s family, to NFC,” he added.

He alleged that this sum of almost RM9.8 million was part of the RM83 million owed by NMLC to NFC as of Dec 31, 2009. He also alleged that the sum was part of the RM250 million soft loan given by the government to NFC.

“This payment for a luxury condominium on behalf of another company that is fully owned by Shahrizat’s family is a form of misappropriation of the rakyat’s money which was given as a loan to NFC. This is a form of criminal breach of trust,” he said.

“You’re supposed to buy cows, but you bought a condo. There is no basis, whatsoever, for NFC to purchase a condominium and it is clearly a gross misuse of power,” said Fariz, adding that Jingga 13 visited the condominium but could not obtain further information as they were chased out by security.

Fariz said the latest information also disproves the statements by UMNO leaders on the NFC issue, and those who manipulated and distorted facts must be brought to book.

“These include Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin (who was the former minister of agriculture and agro-based industries who approved the loan), the Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Noh Omar, UMNO Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahrizat,” he added.

The NFC, a project to create Malaysia’s “Beef Valley”, made headlines after the 2010 Auditor-General’s Report criticised the project, saying it was in a “mess”. The report said production in 2010 was only 3,289 head of cattle, 41.1% of the target set.

However, the government defended the project, stressing that it was a “success” as adjusted targets were actually met.

PKR, however, continually attacked the project, questioning its “failure” despite being given a soft loan of RM250 million and 5,000 acres of land.

http://www.malaysiakini.com

MACC probes Petronas, but what about Lembu’s NFC?

By Jahabar Sadiq
Editor

Anti-graft officials raided national oil giant Petronas in the past weeks after receiving tip-offs of alleged corruption by project consultants working on exploration and production efforts in Malaysian waters, sources said.

The Malaysian Insider understands that files have been carted away and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officials briefed Datuk Seri Najib Razak before he left for the hajj last week. The Prime Minister returned to Malaysia yesterday.

“The MACC investigators have gone in as there have been many complaints of some seeking gifts in return for making recommendations for contracts,” a source told The Malaysian Insider on condition of anonymity.

Another source confirmed the investigation into the national oil company, saying the MACC has informed Najib and his deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. The MACC does not confirm investigations for fear of jeopardising their work.

Industry sources said corruption has become rampant over the years as Petronas has been giving out a host of contracts for its various operations, including the new push for marginal oil fields. But they did not identify which section of Petronas was being investigated by the MACC.

“There’s a lot of money to be made in long-term contracts. It’s a bit less for spot contracts,” one source said, adding middle-men and subcontractors frequent the oil giant’s headquarters in the iconic Petronas Twin Towers to buy and deliver pricey gifts including brand-name items such as bags for Petronas officials.

“It’s not uncommon. Everyone knows the game,” he added. Another source said the Petronas management has had various meetings to discuss allegations of graft among its employees, who are among the best paid in Malaysia with perks including attractive housing loans, medical benefits and other incentives.

“They used to be among the best and honest but there are so many contracts these days and taking a cut is easy and very tempting,” he said, adding some Petronas officials have been seen to be living way beyond their means.

“There is a lot of gossip and backbiting. Some contractors have complained they have to pay up to be considered for jobs. So it’s not surprising that the MACC is here,” said the source.

He pointed out the management has been working on stamping out corruption, which has been identified as National Key Result Area (NKRA) by the Najib administration. The MACC recorded the most arrests related to graft last year, nabbing 944 people, of which more than 400 were bribe givers.

Petronas was incorporated in August 1974 and is ranked among Fortune Global’s 500 largest corporations, coming in 107th last year after being in the top 100 for 2008 and 2009. The company has more than 40,000 permanent employees in Malaysia and across the 35 nations where it has operations.

It also plans to invest around RM50 billion in an integrated downstream oil and gas complex in Pengerang, Johor, dubbed Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development or Rapid.

The integrated development will not only include oil refining and petrochemical activities, but also a gas power plant and other “supportive industries” and is expected to have 50,000 workers at its peak of construction.

The oil company owns the 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers where a third tower was built recently and also Putrajaya, the country’s administrative capital that is leased to the government.