PUTRAJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's application to have former Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) assistant governor Datuk Abdul Murad Khalid recalled to testify before the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) investigating BNM's foreign exchange losses in the 1980s and 1990s has been rejected.
In dismissing the former prime minister’s application, made through lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla, RCI chairman Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan said it was irrelevant to have Murad recalled as whatever statements needed from the witness had been obtained during the proceedings.
"We are of the view that all the issues that required evidence from the witness had been obtained for the commission to make a conclusion," Sidek said before closing the RCI proceedings today.
On the issue raised by Dr Mahathir's counsel for the chairman to retract and withdraw a conclusion the panel made on Aug 21 that BNM’s losses (from the forex scandal) was RM31.5 billion, Sidek said he did not know the exact figure.
"Throughout the duration of our inquiry, the same numbers came up. The issue of withdrawal does not arise.
"We will make a conclusion once we have finalised our report," he said.
Earlier during the proceedings, Haniff had raised an issue over a statement made by Special Affairs Department (Jasa) director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi.
Haniff had asked for the RCI secretary to lodge a police report against Puad as he claimed that the statement was insulting to one of the RCI witnesses - former BNM adviser Tan Sri Mohamed Yakcop.
He said the statement had amounted to a violation of Section 12 (2) of the Commissions of Enquiry Act 1950.
However, the panel in their decision said the matter was not relevant to the RCI.
"Maybe there are many other reports issued out there through the internet. The panel never knew or saw anything about it until we were told about it," he said.
The RCI inquiring into the losses incurred by BNM forex trading ended today.
A total of 25 witnesses including Dr Mahathir, former deputy finance minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, former BNM governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, and former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, had been called before the commission.
The RCI was initially scheduled for 10 proceedings, and was supposed to end on Sept 21. However, it ended on the eighth day of the proceedings today.
The commission is expected to submit its findings to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Oct 13, this year.
REPORTING BY LIDIANA ROSLI, KHAIRAH N. KARIM & HANA NAZ HARUN