Shahrizat: Rafizi always targeted me

The former minister also dismissed allegation that she was involved in the awarding of the cattle-breeding project to NCorp.

KUALA LUMPUR: Former women, family and community development minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil maintained her stand at the High Court here today, that PKR strategy director Mohd Rafizi Ramli’s allegation had always targeted at her.

Quizzed by Mohd Rafizi’s counsel, Ranjit Singh, the Wanita Umno chief several times did not agree with the counsel’s suggestion that Mohd Rafizi’s allegation was made against the National Feedlot Corporation (NFCorp), her husband and family, and not primarily at her.

“No, I do not agree with the counsel’s suggestions. I maintain that the target is me,” replied Sharizat when Ranjit suggested that the statements were not targeted primarily at her.

Referring to one of Mohd Rafizi’s statements, Ranjit said his client wanted Shahrizat to apologise to Malaysians over the NFCorp issue because of her responsibility as minister and Wanita Umno leader.

Shahrizat replied firmly that “I would apologise if I have done wrong. Nobody asked the president of PKR to apologise for the action of her husband”.

She said this when testifying in her suit against PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin and Mohd Rafizi, which was filed on Jan 19, last year, over an alleged defamatory statement the duo had made about her on the NFCorp issue.

She is seeking RM100 million in general, exemplary and aggravated damages.

She has also applied for an injunction to prevent the defendants from issuing statements, either verbally or in print, against her, NFCorp or its associate companies.

Questioned further on the awarding of the project to NFCorp, Shahrizat said she had nothing to do with it.

“Nobody discussed with me about it; it was also never brought to the Cabinet meeting, and has nothing to do with my portfolio,” she said, dismissing the allegation that she was involved in the award.

Shahrizat also said that as a result of Mohd Rafizi’s statement, she had asked the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate her over the matter.

Replying to Ranjit’s question, the former minister said she was also aware of the purchase of a Mercedes-Benz car worth over RM500,000 on Dec 9, 2009, using NFCorp funds.

She explained that there were four directors and they bought the Mercedes-Benz as company car and they had paid downpayment on hire purchase.

To another question, Shahrizat said she knew of the purchase of three units of condominum in Singapore under her family’s name.

The hearing before Judicial Commissioner Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera continues on April 10 and 11.

Bernama