BNM forex losses: RCI secretary lodges police report

BNM forex losses: RCI secretary lodges police report

The secretary of the Royal Commission of Inquiry says the report was lodged to enable cops to probe criminal breach of trust, cheating and other offences.

Yusof-Ismail-bnm
PUTRAJAYA: The secretary of the Royal Commission of Inquiry which probed the foreign exchange losses suffered by Bank Negara (BNM) in the 1990s today lodged a police report in connection with the commission’s recommendations.

Yusof Ismail, who is also the secretary of the Finance Ministry’s Strategic Investment Division, lodged the report at the Putrajaya police headquarters at 4.10pm.

Speaking to reporters, Yusof said the report was lodged to enable the police to carry out official investigations into criminal breach of trust, cheating and other offences that might have been committed by parties named in the commission’s report.

Asked if former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim, who was the finance minister then, were named in the police report, Yusof said no specific parties were named.

“Based on the commission’s report, we find many parties were involved like BNM, the finance ministry and the National Audit Department.

“I also attached the full report of the RCI’s findings, both the Bahasa Malaysia and English versions, to guide the police in their investigations.

Yusof said based on his exchange with the officers receiving the report, he was made to understand that the investigations would be carried out by the Dang Wangi police in Kuala Lumpur.

Asked why the report was only lodged today when it had been ready some time back, he said it was on “embargo” before it was tabled in Parliament.

Earlier today, the 524-page report was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat . It found that there was basis for the police to commence investigations, among others to determine whether Mahathir had condoned the actions of the then finance minister (Anwar) which led to the central bank incurring losses of RM31.5 billion.

RCI says Dr M helped in concealing RM31.5bil forex losses

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