The freezing of the assets of the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) by the government is a case of too little too late, said PKR Wanita chief Zuraidah Kamarudin.
She said action should have been taken on the NFC the moment allegations of mismanagement emerged regarding the cattle-raising venture.
"If action was taken then, the government would look more professional. They should not have dodged the issue," said Zuraidah told theSun yesterday, adding that the matter has since become worse due to the repeated exposes.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak had reportedly announced the temporary freeze on Saturday.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Agriculture Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar have been appointed to monitor the NFC.
Allegations of mismanagement in the NFC came to light last October when the Auditor-General's report revealed that the corporation had failed to achieve its objectives.
The Opposition then alleged that irregularities existed in the RM250 million government allocation to the NFC, including, among others, that the NFC used RM5 million in public funds to buy a Mercedes-Benz and land in Putrajaya.
Other allegations included the disburesement of RM588,585 to companies belonging to the family of Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. NFC chairman, Mohamad Salleh Ismail, is Shahrizat's husband.
She expressed fear that the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission would not do a proper investigation into the scandal.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee supported the freezing of the NFC's assets.
"The step is a reflection of the seriousness of how the government is now handling this issue, and we are hopeful the MACC will conduct a complete and fair investigation leaving no stone unturned," Lim told theSun yesterday.
"We can take comfort in the prosecution and conviction of Khir Toyo as a sign that the government is looking at combating corruption, perhaps not at the level the people would like it to, but it is unfair to say the government is not doing anything about corruption," added Lim.
Meanwhile, NFC issued a statement yesterday stating that its operations would not be interrupted by the order.
"Business is as usual in the company. Beef will continue to be supplied and all orders will be fulfilled. There is no interruption or disruption," said its executive director Wan Shahinur Izmir Salleh.
Source : The Sun Daily
Related News : NFC to assist in probe despite freeze
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