Trial judge Anand Ponnudurai then directed the prosecution and defence to file written submissions by May 12 and tentatively fixed Aug 18 for decision.

“I will first rely on the written submissions but will inform parties if the need arises for oral submissions and clarifications,” the judge said.

Salleh’s three children, Wan Shahinur Izran, Wan Shahinur Izmir and Wan Izzana Fatimah Zabeddah took the stand today.

Salleh is the husband of former Wanita Umno chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

In 2019, the government filed a suit against NFC, Salleh, his three children and six companies owned by the family to recover a loan of RM253.62 million, together with interest at 2% per annum and default interest on RM224.77 million.

Putrajaya is also seeking a declaration that Salleh’s family is personally liable for debt repayment of RM118.04 million, allegedly misappropriated from the loan.

Putrajaya said it was also entitled to claim equitable title to the properties bought using NFC’s RM253.62 million loan from the government.

In 2007, the government approved the loan to NFC to turn the local cattle industry into a large-scale business with the aim of helping Malaysia become self-sufficient in beef production.

Under the loan agreement, NFC was supposed to repay RM17 million annually from 2012 to 2028.

The government has taken the position that the loan was a standalone agreement and that NFC had misappropriated the money.

The defendants said the loan disbursed was tied to the project’s implementation and certain lease agreements which the company had entered into.

NFC has also filed a RM86 million counterclaim against Putrajaya for losses suffered after the project was suspended.

Lead counsel K Kirubakaran who was assisted by lawyers Rajan Navaratnam and Chong Kah Yee appeared for the defendants while senior federal counsel Nurhafizza Azizan and Ashraf Abdul Hamid represented the government.