Rafizi says sorry to NFC – but only over a name

“I view this mistake seriously and have asked many Malaysians in Singapore to help. The check this morning revealed that Farmhouse Supermarket will be operating in Rochester Mall next to Star Vista.”

(Harakah Daily) – PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli, who has been spearheading a series of revelations on the National Feedlot Corporation’s alleged abuse of RM250 million government loan, has issued an open apology over a mistake in his latest allegation.

Yesterday, Rafizi revealed that family members of Wanita UMNO head Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who manage the scandal-plagued NFC, were owners of a soon-to-open Farmhouse Supermarket in Singapore.

However, Rafizi said the location of the supermarket was at Rochestor Mall at Rochester Drive, not in the neighbouring building Star Vista as he had said at his press conference yesterday.

“I view this mistake seriously and have asked many Malaysians in Singapore to help. The check this morning revealed that Farmhouse Supermarket will be operating in Rochester Mall next to Star Vista,” he said.

Rafizi said that Shahrizat’s family members could have further abused the RM250 million from the government to the NFC, by using their personal names to start the supermarket business.

Rafizi had also furnished a weblink showing Farmhouse Supermarket  listed as Rochester Mall’s biggest tenant on its second floor. http://www.rochestermall.com.sg/#02-08to35

The building was developed by UE One-North Developments Pte Ltd, consisting of Rochester Mall and luxury condominium.

Rafizi’s clarification followed a report by The Malaysian Insider, quoting CapitalMall, the developer of Star Vista, as denying any links with Farmhouse Supermarket owned by Shahrizat’s family.

Rafizi however maintained that the rental rate for 28 units at the Rochestor Mall was not much different from the figures he had provided yesterday.

“Besides the mistake in location….all others revealed yesterday are accurate. [Shahrizat’s husband] Mohamad Salleh Ismail’s statement in The Malay Mail dated February 29, 2012 has confirmed that the existence of such high-end supermarket, in fact he was defending their right to venture into any business they deem fit,” he added.

Besides the NFC, Rafizi also extended his apology to CapitalMall.