KUCHING: Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Ahmad Maslan opined that Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil, who is hounded by the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) issue, “does not have to step down”.
He said this was because the Wanita Umno chief was not directly involved in the business of NFC.
“It’s not like Shahrizat is behind NFC. The authorities are investigating her husband, who is executive chairman of the corporation.
“There is no need for Shahrizat to step down until her husband is proven guilty. Even if her husband is found guilty, it is still entirely up to her to decide whether to stay or leave office,” he said during a dialogue session with the local media at Pullman Hotel here on Friday night.
Ahmad, who is also chairman of the Barisan Nasional Publicity and Information Bureau, pointed out that the fund of RM250 million was loaned, and not granted, to Shahrizat’s husband Datuk Mohamad Salleh Ismail.
He stressed that the Attorney General (AG) had also not arrived at any decision as of Friday. Commenting on calls from certain quarters for Shahrizat’s head, Ahmad said those individuals were entitled to their opinions, but the legal aspects of the issue should not be compromised.
“(Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Datuk Seri Mohamed) Nazri (Abdul Aziz) and former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad have urged Shahrizat to resign, but, to me she does not need to.”
Ahmad, who is also Pontian MP, added that Malaysians, including the leaders, should let the law take its course.
He felt it was unfair that the opposition had continually stirred the emotions of the people by playing up the NFC issue.
“The opposition likes to shake up issues, but that is their job. As far as I am concerned, the case remains under investigation.”