‘EVERYONE SHOULD SUPPORT FORMATION OF RCI’
It should act as a landmark case that allows investigations into crimes committed in the past, says Puad
THE formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to probe into Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) foreign exchange (forex) market losses in the 1980s and 1990s should act as a landmark case that allows other investigations into crimes committed in the past.
Special Affairs Department (Jasa) director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said the public, including opposition leaders, should support the inquiry.
“Everyone wants answers. All quarters want a government that cracks down on corruption. So, let there be no parties who beat around the bush, be hypocritical (munafik) and talk too much.
“It is hoped that this case will become a landmark, where any past crimes can be investigated, and the perpetrators convicted, should there be sufficient evidence,” he said.
Puad said the government had, prior to forming the RCI, carried out an initial probe through the special task force, which had established that there was a prima facie case to be answered by BNM.
“Hopefully, no one will make accusations that there is a political agenda behind this move.
“I call on those who are a part of the RCI to carry out their tasks progressively, transparently and courageously. No one should be exempted, more so the former prime minister, former finance minister and former BNM governor,” he said.
MCA Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said the establishment of the RCI demonstrated the lack of transparency during former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s leadership.
“This is rather ironic coming from a man who is now shouting for lack of transparency.
“RCI’s formation is timely to look into past, current and future issues of national interest.
“We should get to the bottom of the problems and leave no stone unturned so that the nation could avoid a repetition of such a mistake, besides remedying or penalising those culpable or guilty,” he said.
Umno Youth deputy chief Senator Khairul Azwan Harun also welcomed the formation of the inquiry and said: “We are confident that the RCI will assume its duties transparently and solve the longstanding issue”.
DAP lawmaker Dr Tan Seng Giaw said regardless of who was involved, public funds should not be misused.
“There is no time factor here. If there is any public funds that have been abused and misused, it needs to be investigated because it is public money.
“You have got to be open and accountable because that is what transparency is all about.
“Any funds that have been misappropriated, especially in the billions, have got to be investigated.
“Even now, there is so much talk of leakages in state and in the Federal Government, (so) let’s investigate, those that have evidence,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s Office had on Wednesday announced the decision to form the RCI after the special task force, headed by former chief secretary to the government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan, presented its report to the cabinet.
Its initial findings established that the losses suffered were much more than what was previously reported to the cabinet and parliament, and that attempts to conceal actual facts on the losses had been made.
I call on those who are a part of the RCI to carry out their tasks progressively, transparently and courageously. No one should be exempted, more so the former prime minister, former finance minister and former BNM governor. DATUK DR MOHD PUAD ZARKASHI Special Affairs Department director-general