POLICE TO CALL IN DR M OVER ‘BUGIS’ REMARK
We will record ex-PM’s statement soon, says IGP
TUN Dr Mahathir Mohamad will soon have his statement recorded for allegedly insulting the Bugis community during the recent “Anti-Kleptocracy Rally” at Padang Timur, Petaling Jaya.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said an investigation was ongoing and that the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman would be called in.
“It will depend on the probe by the investigating officer, but we will definitely call him (Dr Mahathir) in (for his statement).
“You have to give us time but it will be done soon. We hope to wrap up the investigation as soon as possible,” he said after closing the 29th Malaysia Auxiliary Police Conference yesterday.
Dr Mahathir, has come under fire for allegedly saying Malaysia had a leader who was a descendant of “Bugis pirates”.
Several police reports had been lodged by various parties, including the Bugis community in Malaysia.
On another matter, Fuzi said police were investigating possible criminal breach of trust and cheating during Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) foreign exchange losses in 1990s, and may call Dr Mahathir in for questioning if needed.
“We are working round the clock to record the statements. Whatever needs to be done will be done as soon as possible,” he said.
Fuzi had said that the case was being investigated under Section 409 of the Penal Code for criminal breach of trust.
Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) secretary Datuk Dr Yusof Ismail, who is the Finance Ministry’s Strategic Investment Division director, had lodged a report at the Putrajaya police headquarters recently, prompting police to start an official investigation.
In the police report, it was stated that those who were involved in the alleged wrongdoings were BNM officers, BNM board members, the National Audit Department, Finance Ministry and the prime minister who served during the period.