Former Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil today told the Kuala Lumpur High Court that she took offense at being asked by PKR strategist director Rafizi Ramli to apologise over the National Feedlot Scandal.

She was responding to defense lawyer Ranjit Singh's question on whether she was offended at this assertion which was raised in Rafizi's press statement which is a subject of a defamation trial against the latter this afternoon.


Ranjit: You take offense?
 

Shahrizat: Yes.

Ranjit: Why?
 
Shahrizat: Why not?


Ranjit: Please explain.
 
Shahrizat: What do I have to apologise for? Apologising to Malaysians for the exposé that has angered Malaysians? I have to apologise to the rakyat for what?

Ranjit: For the trangressions of your family (in the NFC scandal).

 
Shahrizat: Do you ask (a) certain wife to explain what the husband does in a condo?

Ranjit: I don't know what you are insinuating.

 
Shahrizat: Do you ask (a) certain wife to explain what the husband does in a condo, or several condos?


At this point, Ranjit told Shahrizat to stop making political statements before moving on to other questions.

'BN leaders were used'

Ranjit pointed out that there were several other statements by PKR leaders criticising other BN leaders over the NFC scandal to Shahrizat.

An example, cited by Ranjit, was criticisms against Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin for defending the NFC project.

However the combative Wanita Umno chief insisted that the criticisms ultimately came back to her.

"I have been targeted for anything that is connected to NFC. They may mention other people but it is a ruse, I am the target.

"In this article (attacking Khairy), I am purportedly not the target but they actually just making use of Khairy (to get at me)," she said.

Sharizat said all the statements on NFC were a big plot by the opposition to assassinate her politically.

She added that Rafizi's attempt to mislead the country had also caused fellow BN leaders to turn on her.

Shahrizat repeatedly refused to provide "yes" or "no" answers when asked to respond to veracity the allegations against NFC and instead launched an offensive against Rafizi.

"It (NFC scandal) did not arise until Rafizi misled the nation... It is slander and accusations," she said as she pointed at Rafizi who merely smiled throughout the verbal assaults.