The purchase of an RM10 million condominium unit by a sister company of the troubled National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) was a strategic move, so that the money would not lie idle, Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin says.

In an article posted on his blog today, Khairy said the company - National Meat and Livestocks Corporation (NMLC) - had RM83 million sitting idle because the NFC production was delayed.

NONE “The operational delay was caused by the NFC management and its reasons were explained by the agriculture and agro-based industries minister in Parliament on Nov 8, that the government had insufficient funds to develop satellite farms.

“When these farms cannot be developed, a portion of NMLC funds could not be spent... When this delay happens, the NFC management is faced with a important decision.

“Do they leave the money given to the NLMC in a current account that does not bring big returns while waiting for the satellite farms... or do they invest the money and reap some returns while waiting for the delays to be overcome?”

Waves of attack by PKR

Recently, Khairy had been at the forefront of the BN backbenchers' defence of the NFC project, which was panned in the Auditor-General's Report 2010 .

The controversy came to a boil when PKR criticised the federal government's RM250 million soft loan for the failed project, which is being handled by a serving cabinet minister's family members . 

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said her family had worked hard on the project and do not deserve to be criticised. 

Yesterday, PKR exposed more documents to show that the NFC had paid RM9.8 million for a unit of the One Menerung condominium in upmarket Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.

The party accused the NFC of misappropriating funds in an investment that does not relate to cattle-rearing. 

Apartment rented out

Khairy warned that should the money be left idle in a current account, its real value may be affected and thus the NLMC management acted responsibly.

“As a simple example, if NLMC bought a cow from the satellite farms today, the cost might be cheaper compared to next year due to inflation.

“When all beef purchases could not be made, it is the duty of the management to decide when they are going to do with the monies in their current account,” he said.

Khairy said that the management had made a safe investment with good returns and that the asset could be sold when cash is needed.

“It is for certain that they will see a residential project of good quality and interest to ensure that NLMC’s rental returns and return of investment is exceed that of a current account.

“It is understood that the apartment has already been rented out and is generating returns for the NLMC. The property value had already increased since then,” he said.

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