Muhyiddin, who was challenged by Puad to clarify the issue, said the case was being investigated by the authorities.
“I acknowledge I was the agriculture minister at the time the project was started as Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (the then prime minister) wanted to increase beef production.
“What Puad should ask is why the government didn’t take action against the project owner who allegedly mismanaged it until it failed,” he said after chairing a PPBM council meeting.
Puad had dared Muhyiddin to come forward to shed light on the NFC issue as he was the agriculture and agro-based industry minister when the project was launched in 2006.
Puad also challenged DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang to demand an explanation from Muhyiddin as he had in the past urged that the former minister be questioned by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.
NFC was set up to develop a commercial cattle feedlot farm and establish a beef production system through contract farming.
Its executive chairman, Mohamad Salleh Ismail, was charged with criminal breach of trust amounting to RM49.7 million but was acquitted by the courts in November 2015.
Muhyiddin said the question to ask would be what happened to the money provided for the project and why it failed.
He said Puad should not use the issue to get political mileage.
“He should get to know the actual situation so he can ask the right questions about the project,” he said.
On the condition of PPBM chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was admitted to the National Heart Institute last Friday, Muhyiddin said the former prime minister was getting better.
He said he had visited Mahathir and advised him to rest further.
“Despite his condition, Dr Mahathir was in high spirits and keen to know developments in the party and the views of the people,” he said.
Mahathir is being treated in a normal ward for a chest infection.
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/06/26/nfc-pac-finds-ministerial-weaknesses/
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/08/06/shahrizat-i-know-nothing-about-nfc-project/
Court dismisses defamation appeal by NFCorp, Shahrizat’s husband