‘PROBE NOR MOHAMED, DR M, ANWAR’
It recommends that they be investigated for possible CBT, fraud
THE RCI believes Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had concealed Bank Negara’s actual forex losses from the cabinet, and that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad condoned his actions. The panel, in confirming that RM31.5 billion was lost, says there are grounds to investigate them for criminal breach of trust and fraud.
THE Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) foreign exchange (forex) losses in the 1990s has recommended investigations against former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his one-time deputy, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The RCI, in its 528-page report that was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, said the duo had concealed facts from the cabinet.
It also recommended that Dr Mahathir and Anwar be investigated for criminal breach of trust and fraud.
“There is a basis for an official police investigation into BNM board of directors, National Audit Department, then finance minister and prime minister for criminal breach of trust and fraud in the performing of the speculative forex transactions and in hiding the losses from the cabinet and Parliament,” the report said.
Former BNM adviser Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop was also implicated as the commission found that he was responsible for the billions of ringgit in losses.
RCI had recommended that Nor Mohamed be investigated for alleged criminal breach of trust and for allegedly contravening the Central Bank Ordinance 1958.
The commission also found that former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin had allegedly abetted Nor Mohamed. Daim was finance minister until 1991 before he was replaced by Anwar.
BNM lost RM31.5 billion in forex trading between 1992 and 1994. Nor Mohamed was in charge of several portfolios in BNM at the time, including the management of external reserves. Additional reporting by Fernando Fong