Forex losses: Police to record Mahathir’s statement tomorrow


Members of the former prime minister’s legal team will also be present when the recording officer takes the statement, says lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla.

(FMT) – Police will record a statement from Dr Mahathir Mohamad tomorrow afternoon over RM31.5 billion in forex trading losses suffered by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) some 25 years ago, lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla said.

He said several lawyers would also be present when the recording officer interviews the former prime minister at the Yayasan Kepimpinan Perdana in Putrajaya.

“We believe the investigation is in relation to a police report made by the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) secretary (Yusof Ismail) on Nov 30,” he told FMT.

The five-man RCI, chaired by Mohd Sidek Hassan, concluded there were elements of hidden facts and information relating to forex losses suffered by BNM, and misleading statements given to the cabinet, Parliament and the public.

The report said BNM suffered a total loss of RM31.5 billion between 1992 and 1994 and that Mahathir had condoned it.

The commission proposed that the police open investigations into possible criminal breach of trust or cheating by various parties, including Mahathir and Anwar Ibrahim, who was finance minister from 1991 to 1998.

Special mention was made of ex-BNM adviser Nor Mohamed Yakcop, whom the report named as “principally liable for criminal breach of trust”. Daim Zainuddin, another former finance minister (1984-1991), was said to have aided and abetted Nor Mohamed.

The RCI convened for eight days from Aug 21 and concluded on Sept 19 after calling 25 witnesses.

Forty-two documents were submitted during the proceedings.

The 400-page report was submitted to the king on Oct 13 and made public on Nov 30.

 



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