KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 — The National Feedlot Corporation (NFCorp) has sued Nurul Izzah Anwar over allegedly defamatory statements in relation to the purchase of eight condominium units in the multi-billion KL Eco City development.

Speaking to reporters after case management today, NFCorp’s lawyers said the case against the PKR vice-president and the opposition party’s secretary-general, Datuk Saifuddin Nasution, was filed on December 24.

In its statement of claim that was also issued to reporters, NFCorp and its chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Salleh Ismail said the suit concerned a statement made by Nurul Izzah on March 7, 2012.

She was alleged to have then said that the funds for the National Feedlot Centre (NFC) — a cattle-rearing project previously managed by NFCorp — were used to purportedly buy eight luxury properties at a cost of RM12 million.

The second-term Lembah Pantai MP was also charged with claiming that there was a “conflict of interest” in the property purchase.

In her remarks that were carried by online news channel Malaysia Kini TV, Nurul Izzah had allegedly questioned the role of Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, a former minister who is also Mohamad Salleh’s wife, in the purchase of the condominiums.

The PKR leader had referred to Shahrizat’s post as the lawmaker for the Lembah Pantai constituency, where the condominiums were located.

“You would have access to the development plans of a particular area if you’re a member of Parliament, and there is a possibility the knowledge was used in the purchasing efforts by the husband of the senior minister,” Nurul Izzah was quoted as saying in the statement of claim.

In the statement of claim, NFCorp said Nurul Izzah’s statements would be taken to mean that Mohamad Salleh had allegedly misused the company’s funds to buy the eight units of property.

Nurul Izzah’s statements were also purportedly seen to imply that Mohamad Salleh was allegedly untrustworthy, a criminal, greedy and had used his wife’s position to gain wealth.

The statement of claim also said that Nurul Izzah’s remarks purportedly indicated that Mohamad Salleh had allegedly used government funds and public funds to gain personal wealth and live a luxurious life, or had conspired with NFCorp to cheat or abuse public funds.

Among other things, the 64-year-old Mohamad Salleh claimed that his reputation was injured and he had suffered emotional stress and mental torture.

NFCorp also claimed that its investments had been destroyed, adding that its business has been affected.

NFCorp and Mohamad Salleh are now seeking damages and an injunction against the defendants from making further remarks or repeating the allegedly defamatory statements.

The next case management before High Court judge Hue Siew Kheng is set for February 27.

NFCorp and Datuk Seri Mohamad Salleh Ismail are now seeking damages and an injunction against the defendants from making further remarks or repeating the allegedly defamatory statements.

Both Nurul Izzah and Saifuddin would have to file their statements of defence before then, while NFCorp would also have to file their reply before case management.

Mohamad Salleh and his three children, who were also the directors of NFCorp, came under public scrutiny after their company’s national cattle-farming project — which was funded by RM250 million in federal loans — failed.

He has since then been charged with two counts of criminal breach of trust involving nearly RM50 million in funds and another two counts of violating the Companies Act.

His lawyers today said that the Sessions Court will hear his application to stay the proceedings against him on February 25 pending an appeal.

Case management for his appeal in the High Court to drop the charges against him has been fixed for March 19, his lawyers said.

NFCorp and Mohamad Salleh were represented by Y. Sheelan Samuagam and Wan Shahrizal Wan Ladin, while Nurul Izzah and Saifuddin were represented by Kevin & Co and William Leong & Co respectively.

After her term as a senator ended, Shahrizat’s service as the women, family and community development minister was also not extended.

After the 13th general election, she was appointed as the special adviser to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on women affairs.