Dr M seeks court order to recuse two RCI members

Pakatan Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad has sought a court order to compel the ongoing Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to recuse two of its members.

Mahathir is also seeking a court order to compel the federal government to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to revoke the appointment of both individuals.

The former prime minister is also seeking a court order to postpone the RCI until the court case is disposed of.

According to Mahathir's lawyer Haniff Khatri, the court documents were filed this morning at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

At the RCI hearing yesterday, Mahathir and PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim's representatives argued against Mohd Sidek Hassan and Saw Choo Boon's member in the six-member RCI panel.

They said that the duo was part of the cabinet's task force which recommended that the government establish the RCI, and therefore, their independence was compromised.

Mohd Sidek is the former chief secretary to the government and the head of the task force.

The RCI has been tasked with determining the veracity of allegations surrounding the forex losses incurred by Bank Negara and its implications on the national economy.

It will also determine if Bank Negara's involvement in forex activities contravened the Central Bank Ordinance 1958 or other related laws.

Finally, the RCI will decide if whether there were attempts to conceal facts and information regarding this as well as the issuance of statements which mislead the cabinet, Parliament, and public.

The next RCI hearing is scheduled for Aug 21.

Meanwhile, Mahathir's legal team also filed another suit to compel the federal government to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to revoke the appointment of Md Raus Sharif as chief justice.

Mahathir is also seeking a stay order to prevent Md Raus from carrying out his functions as the chief justice until the disposal of the judicial review application. - Mkini