The Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur today set November 22 to decide on an application by National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd (NFCorp) executive chairman Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Salleh Ismail to strike out the two criminal breach of trust (CBT) charges, involving RM49.7 million, against him.
Judge Norsharidah Awang set the date after hearing submissions by lawyer Datuk Seri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah representing Mohamad Salleh and deputy public prosecutor Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud.
In his submission, Muhammad Shafee argued that the charges against his client were groundless.
He said the impugned transactions, as stated in the charges, had been ratified and approved by the NFCorp board of directors.
“The principal and beneficiary (NFCorp) have already ratified the act of the agent and trustee (Mohamad Salleh) and therefore there is no breach of trust,” he said.
Muhammad Shafee said the two impugned transactions involving RM9,758,140 and RM40 million were part of a total advance of RM81,222,448.93 from NFCorp to its associate company, National Meat & Livestock Corporation Sdn Bhd.
“The board of directors were informed of these advances and subsequently ratified the entire advances in a formal board of directors meeting,” he said.
Meanwhile, Awang Armadajaya submitted that the prosecution’s charges against Mohamad Salleh was complete and according to the law.
He said the RM250 million loan agreement between the government of Malaysia and NFCorp was intended to fund the National Feedlot Project and not meant for the purchase of condominiums.
He said the purchase of two units at the One Menerung Condominium in Bangsar was not mentioned in any of the company meeting minutes.
Mohamad Salleh filed the application on January 7.
On March 12 last year, Mohamad Salleh, in his capacity as the director of NFCorp was charged with CBT amounting to RM9,758,140 to fund part purchase of two units of condominium in Kuala Lumpur and transferring RM40 million into the account of National Meat & Livestock Corporation Sdn Bhd in 2009. – Bernama, September 24, 2013.
