National Feedlot Corporation executive chairperson Mohamad Salleh Ismail moved today to clarify confusion over the rental of its luxury condominium units after criticism was leveled against the company for the unrealistic pricing.

NONEMohamad told the Star Online today that the rental was in fact RM18,000 a month for each of the two units it purchased as opposed to the figures in some reports which amounted to RM70,000.

The purchase of the condominiums valued at RM6.9 million each was also granted a 10 percent discount, which is repaid to NFC in the form of monthly rebates amounting to RM57,000 a month, said the report.

"The total of both makes it RM75,000 each month," Salleh was quoted as saying.

Salleh added in the report that the two units are being rented by separate oil and gas companies housing their expatriate staff.

The confusion arose from a press conference called by NFC yesterday in which it responded to accusations of misspending a RM181 million government soft loan by buying luxury condominiums.

However, the clarification resulted in more confusion as major newspapers today came out with conflicting figures:

Berita Harian: RM30,000/month in rental;

Sinar Harian: RM17,000/month in rental, RM58,000 in rebates;

The Star: RM70,000/month in rental; and,

Bernama: RM200,000/year in rental (or about RM16,700/month), RM700,000/year in rebates over two years (or about RM29200/month).

NONENFC, which was appointed manager of the national feedlot centre, a major livestock farming and beef production facility, became embroiled in controversy after the PKR levelled the misspending allegations.

Aside from the condominium, PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli had revealed that the loan was used by NFC to book an expensive  overseas trip, on top of dragging in Umno leaders whom he claimed had benefitted from the company.

He had also claimed that NFC paid RM26,400 in expenses to Salleh's wife Shahrizat Abdul Jalil who is women, family and community development minister.
 
Salleh has denied any wrongdoing by NFC and justified the condominium purchase as sound investment.


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