Kuala Lumpur: A Malaysian minister on Sunday said
she will step down amid accusations that her family misused a
250 million ringgit (USD 83 million) government loan meant for
a cattle project to purchase condominiums, vacations and a
Mercedes.
The scandal, dubbed "Cowgate," has greatly embarrassed
Prime Minister Najib Razak ahead of general elections widely
expected to be called by June.
After months of resisting calls from critics to step
down, Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said she will resign as minister
of women, family and community on April 8 once her term as
senator ends.
Shahrizat said her decision had nothing to do with the
cattle project run by her husband and three children but that
she is stepping down as a "responsible member of the
government."
Kuala Lumpur: A Malaysian minister on Sunday said
she will step down amid accusations that her family misused a
250 million ringgit (USD 83 million) government loan meant for
a cattle project to purchase condominiums, vacations and a
Mercedes.
The scandal, dubbed "Cowgate," has greatly embarrassed
Prime Minister Najib Razak ahead of general elections widely
expected to be called by June.
After months of resisting calls from critics to step
down, Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said she will resign as minister
of women, family and community on April 8 once her term as
senator ends.
Shahrizat said her decision had nothing to do with the
cattle project run by her husband and three children but that
she is stepping down as a "responsible member of the
government."
Since then, opposition parties have accused the company
of using a government loan allocated for cattle rearing to
purchase property including luxury condominiums in Malaysia
and Singapore and other personal items. Shahrizat`s family has
denied any wrongdoing, saying the company was allowed to use
the loan at its discretion and that the properties would earn
it rental income.
PTI
