PUTRAJAYA is committed to its plan to meet the national target to increase the local supply of meat by 30%, without the tainted National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) programme.

Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub (PH-Pulai) said bringing up the NFC project would get the government nowhere.

He said the government should focus on what was available, such as the 72 livestock farms with 7,000 cows, and permanent food production parks.

“There are also integrated cattle breeding initiatives in oil palm estates belonging to large corporations like Sime Darby, IOI, KL Kepong and Tabung Haji,” he said.

“Put together, the oil palm estates give us 1.4 million ha of land, where we can breed close to 400,000 cows. This is a medium-long term plan that we have to look into now.

“If these corporations are not interested, the government can discuss with them and introduce constructive incentives like tax relief and others.

“We can realise the 30% supply national target,” he told the Dewan Rakyat this morning during question time.

Salahuddin was answering an additional question by Nurul Izzah Anwar (PH-Permatang Pauh) if the present government would continue the NFC programme.

“Last month the minister announced that you will send a memorandum to the cabinet to continue to NFC project to meet the 30% meat supply target for the local market.

“What is the rationale when the project will give a very negative image?” she said.

Nurul Izzah also mentioned the legal actions taken against the former Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, who exposed the RM250 million NFC scandal in 2011.

NFC received a soft loan of RM250 million from the previous Barisan Nasional government during the Abdullah Ahmad Badawi administration with the promise it would breed 8,000 cows by 2010 to enhance Malaysia’s food security and reduce the need to import beef.

But its RM74 million 600ha NFC site in Gemas, Negri Sembilan, only bred 3,289 cows, meeting only 41% of its targeted number, according to the auditor-general’s report.

In 2011, Rafizi, who is PKR vice-president, exposed the cattle breeder’s purchases of luxury condominium units.

NFC was owned by Mohamad Salleh Ismail, the husband of former Umno Wanita head and former BN minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

“I think the PH government is not interested in continuing with the old narrative… let the old be memories, the good be lessons, and the bad be the limit,” Salahuddin said.

“I agree with Permatang Pauh that we will go with more constructive measures to meet the national target for 30% meat supply.”

Deputy speaker Nga Kor Ming then cracked a joke, telling the minister to make sure the cows will not be living in condos.

Last month, Salahuddin reportedly said the NFC programme would be rebranded and the scandal surrounding it would be reopened for investigation.

Earlier, when answering an oral question from Hasan Bahrom (PH-Tampin) on livestock supply for the upcoming Hari Raya Korban celebration, Salahuddin said there would be no meat shortage.

He said there are over 50,125 cows and 31,079 goats in stock.

“The supply is enough. No need to worry. The ministry will also ensure there will be no price manipulations,” he said. – July 24, 2018.