By Mariam Mokhtar

The former deputy Agriculture Minister (2013-2018) and the Umno-Baru MP for Pasir Salak, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, is spreading fake news and creating racial tension. Why is he allowed to do this?

Last November, Malaysians learnt about a scandal involving halal meat, when it was alleged that for over forty years, Malays/Muslims have consumed meat which was certified halal, but which was probably not halal. The meat was alleged to have been kangaroo, horse, or even meat from diseased animals.

In an effort to avoid mass panic and public anger among Muslims, the government quickly claimed that JAKIM was not responsible, even before an official investigation had started.

The authorities also denied the involvement of corrupt government officials, some of whom were alleged to have received sexual favors.

The government machinery went into overdrive to contain the damage caused by the expose. The scandal is about halal meat and it is not about importation of pork or other meat.

On 24 January, Tajuddin poured more vitriol onto the scandal, with his allegation that meat cartels are controlled by non-bumiputras, and that only 10% of AP holders importing meat, are bumiputra companies.

He also alleged that the non-bumiputra meat-cartels had refused to share the billion-ringgit business with bumiputra companies, and that when he was deputy minister, he had failed to break the non-bumiputra monopoly.

These false claims were swiftly quashed by the Agriculture and Food Industries minister, Ronald Kiandee, on 26 January.

Ronald said that up to 60% of the AP holders involved in the importation of meat are bumiputra. He named two companies – Ramly Food Processing Sdn Bhd and Darabif Meat Company, which imported large quantities of meat. He said that ongoing investigations involved the MACC, PDRM, Customs and the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry.

So what is Tajuddin's objective in this blame game? The Malay/Muslim population has been cheated. They paid good money for meat which was probably diseased, or not even beef.

Over 60% of the population consumes beef, and consumer demand for beef rises during Hari Raya. The AP system is meaningless, when they are awarded to crony companies or political families, who have no desire to help the rakyat but only want to help themselves to taxpayers' money.

When Malays or bumi companies are involved in a scandal which affects Malays/Muslims, some Umno-Baru and PAS politicians will try and pass the blame to the non-Malays/Muslims. This is Tajuddin's tactic.

During the past five decades, Umno-Baru/BN failed to control the companies which import halal meat. These AP holders cannot be entrusted to ensure the beef that we eat is either halal, or even beef.

A decade ago, a Malay man was given the responsibility of reducing our dependence on beef imports. With RM250 million of taxpayers' money, he and his family purchased luxury condominiums, imported cars and trips overseas. This was the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) scandal.

We cannot be blamed for the impression, which has been implanted in our minds, that some Malays cannot handle money and big business.

Perhaps, the real reason Tajuddin is accusing the non-bumiputra companies is because he is trying to divert attention from the investigation by MACC into his role as the president of Prasarana, the rail and bus transport operator.

Three weeks ago, MACC officers raided Prasarana's office and seized files and said they would conduct interviews, to investigate claims that Tajuddin wanted significant changes at Prasarana.

Tajuddin had interfered with the main contractor, MRCB-George Kent's (MRCB-GK) appointment of subcontractors. He claimed that MRCB-GK did not support bumi firms and ordered payment to be withheld.

In December, MRCB-George Kent and 16 subcontractors and consulting firms, involved in the LRT3 project, appealed to the government to help secure an outstanding payment of over RM1 billion from Prasarana, for work which had been completed since last July.

In addition to the above claims, Tajuddin is in the spotlight for nepotism. He denied claims that his family had been awarded a contract with Prasarana.

Tajuddin claimed that the Latitude 8 project, in Dang Wangi in KL was awarded to his family's company eight years ago, whilst he was the chairman of FELCRA.

He said that there was nothing wrong with awarding projects to his family because he had been in business since he left university.

He said, "If you got a project eight years ago through an open tender with the highest bid, was it wrong?"

Most people would imagine that the work would be awarded to the company that satisfies the specifications of the tender award, and had the lowest bid.

Perhaps, in the Umno-Baru business world, the phrase, "conflict of interest" does not exist, and contracts are awarded to the highest bidder, irrespective of capability.

Irregularities in Prasarana and other GLCs will continue for as long as politicians are made heads of GLCs.

Tajuddin is feeling the heat, and has to divert attention, with his red herring that meat cartels are controlled by non-bumiputras. Is he involved in the meat cartels?

Source:

1. Free Malaysia Today: Non-Bumiputeras control meat cartels, says Tajuddin

2. Free Malaysia Today: 60% of meat importers are Bumiputera companies

3. The Vibes: No reports linking Jakim officers to 'meat cartel': Zulkifli

4. The Star: Jakim not involved in fake halal meat probe

5. The Star: Jakim should be held responsible in meat cartel scandal as they issued halal certs, says Anwar

6. Aliran: Don't forget the Cowgate scandal

7. MalaysiaKini: MACC has begun probe into Prasarana: Azam Baki

8. MalaysiaKini: Tajuddin rebuffs advice not to interfere, says LRT3 should back bumi firms

9. MalaysiaKini: MRCB-George Kent rebuts Tajuddin, says over 30pct bumi firms involved in LRT3

10. MalaysiaKini: Family-linked project granted before I became Prasarana chair – Tajuddin

(Mariam Mokhtar is a Freelance Writer.)