RCI needed as forex scandal still hurting ringgit, say former BNM officials
(MMO) – Repercussions from Bank Negara Malaysia’s foreign exchange over two decades ago remain until today, said two former officials in support of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the matter.
According to Utusan Malaysia, former BNM economic department senior manager Dr Rosli Yaakop and former assistant governor Datuk Abdul Murad Khalid both said the central bank would have more reserves to prop up the ringgit now were it not for the scandal that allegedly cost the bank US$10 billion in the 1990s.
Murad yesterday also asserted that the amount could have appreciated to RM100 billion today based on a 4-per cent annual interest rate.
“The impact from this scandal has been prolonged and can be felt until now, so it is critical that a RCI is formed. BNM had lost a chunk of its reserve due to the forex activity back then,” Rosli reportedly said.
