Mohamed Salleh expresses gratitude over clearance of NFC fraud

PETALING JAYA: It took 12 years, but Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Salleh Ismail (pic) is thankful for the High Court’s verdict on Friday that cleared his family and him over allegations of misusing the RM250mil loan to fund the National Feedlot Centre in Gemas, Negri Sembilan.

“I would like to express my gratitude to God that the allegations cast upon my family and me for over 12 years have been proven false.

“The decision made by the High Court of Kuala Lumpur, presided over by Justice Anand Ponnudurai, clearly and unequivocally vindicates me and my three children of the accusations since the NFC trial that began in 2012 and even earlier,” said the NFCorp executive chairman in a statement.

Mohamed Salleh said he had been previously “convicted” in the court of public opinion but the country’s legal system upheld the truth and exonerated his family and him.

Salleh said his wife, a former Women, Family and Community Development minister, also became the victim of political slander and persecution.

“When she willingly resigned from the Cabinet due to the allegations, I, too, was deeply saddened,” he said.

On Friday, Justice Anand Ponnudurai ruled there was no wrongful use of the RM250mil loan sum and no breach of fiduciary duties by the 11 defendants.

In its suit, the government named NFCorp as the first defendant, while Mohamad Salleh Ismail and his three children – Wan Shahinur Izran, Wan Shahinur Izmir and Wan Izzana Fatimah Zabedah – were named the second to fifth defendants, respectively.

The other defendants are six companies controlled by Mohamad Salleh’s family, namely, National Meat & Livestock Corporation Sdn Bhd, Real Food Corporation Sdn Bhd, Meatworks Corporation Sdn Bhd, Agroscience Industries Sdn Bhd, Asian Bioscience Corporation Sdn Bhd, and Technology Imageware (M) Sdn Bhd.

Meanwhile, Justice Anand directed for the unused RM33mil loan sum to be returned by NFCorp to the government.

He ruled the government was entitled to the RM86.9mil seized from the defendants, which is currently held in escrow.

Justice Anand pointed out that it was not unlawful for NFCorp to use part of the loan sum to invest in properties in the name of the company, and the company did not breach the loan agreement.

He ordered that the investment properties be transferred to the government.

The court allowed NFCorp’s counterclaim against the government for breach of agreement and allowed for nominal damages of RM10,000.