NFCorp's 12-year defamation saga labelled a 'national loss'

KUALA LUMPUR: National Feedlot Corporation's (NFCorp) 12-year defamation saga has been labelled a 'national loss' by Pertubuhan Kemasyarakatan Rakyat Malaysia (Pekemas) president Faizan Mohd Noor.

"The project, which aligned with the National Beef Production Policy, was halted due to systematic defamation and unfounded accusations.

"This disruption has contributed to increased food prices and jeopardised the nation's food security," he said in a statement today.

Faizan claims that an alleged illegal meat import cartel was behind the campaign against NFCorp, leading to public skepticism towards imported meat.

"This resulted in a significant 50 per cent drop in market sales and price hikes.

"Though the damage is done, we urge the government to restore food security and maintain beef availability," Faizan added.

NFCorp, established in 2006, aimed to foster a commercial feedlot cattle farm and contract farming-based beef production.

It was an integral component of the government's strategy to ensure a consistent beef supply for the country's food security.

In recent developments, the Kuala Lumpur High Court cleared NFCorp Chairman, Datuk Seri Mohamed Salleh Ismail and his three children from a RM253.6 million lawsuit on Friday.

Judge Anand Ponnudurai ruled there was no misconduct by NFCorp, though the company was directed to return RM33.7 million, representing an unutilised loan segment, to the government.

Reacting to the verdict, Salleh highlighted that the defamation against his family, including his wife, former minister Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, has been debunked.

"While we were once tried by the court of public opinion, the truth has emerged after a long 12 years," he said. - AWANI