SEBERANG JAYA: 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.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said an investigation is ongoing and that the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman would definitely 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 told reporters when asked on the progress of the investigation.
Fuzi was met after officiating the closing of the 29th auxiliary police conference. Also present were state police chief Datuk Chuah Ghee Lye and outgoing Auxiliary Police Association president Baharuddin Othman.
Dr Mahathir, who is former prime minister, has come under fire — both at home and abroad — for remarks he made at the rally when he said Malaysia had a leader who was descended from “Bugis pirates”.
Several police reports have been lodged by various parties, including the Bugis community in Malaysia, who took offence over the matter.
Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had previously expressed his displeasure with Dr Mahathir over the remarks against the Bugis community.
Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, in an exclusive interview with the Media Prima Group in conjunction with his 59th birthday recently, said he felt slighted by Dr Mahathir's remarks which equated the Bugis community with pirates.
He had said that such callous statements made by politicians could sow the seeds of hatred among the people.
Meanwhile, Fuzi said police are still 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 the need arises.
“The investigation, as I mentioned, is ongoing...it is not easy. Many people will be called to complete the investigation.
“Immediately after we received the police report, we have formed the task force to look into the investigation.
“We are working round the clock to record the statements. Whatever needs to be done will be done as soon as possible,” he added.
Fuzi had previously 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 to prompt 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 of Members, National Audit Department, Finance Ministry and the prime minister, who served during the period.