DR Mahathir Mohamad filed two applications today for leave to proceed with judicial reviews on the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on Bank Negara forex losses and the reappointment of Md Raus Sharif as Chief Justice.

His lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla filed the papers at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on behalf of Dr Mahathir, who is now the opposition’s leader as Pakatan Harapan chairman.

Haniff said the first application was to recuse two members of the RCI panel – former chief secretary to the government Mohd Sidek Hassan and Special Task Force to Facilitate Business (Pemudah) co-chairperson Saw Choo Boon.

Dr Mahathir, who was prime minister when the scandal happened, and Anwar Ibrahim, who was finance minister at the time, had tried to disqualify the duo on grounds of bias yesterday but failed.

Haniff said the application was to challenge the decision not to recuse the duo, to compel the government to advice the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to revoke or terminate the two RCI panel members, and for a stay of the RCI sittings until the disposal of the judicial review application.

The RCI panel had set August 21 to begin the hearing on the scandal. Subsequent dates fixed are August 24, August 29, August 30, September 6, September 7, September 18, September 19, September 20.

“All necessary documents have been sent to the Attorney-General’s office as well as the secretary of the RCI for them to be fully aware of this action despite the fact that it is an ex-parte application,” Haniff said in a statement today.

On the application regarding Raus’ re-appointment, he said Dr Mahathir was seeking to compel the government to advice the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to revoke or terminate the Chief Justice’s appointment.

“The application also includes a prayer to stay the Chief Justice from carrying out his normal functions until disposal of the judicial review application,” Haniff said, adding that the AG has also been informed.

Raus was sworn in last Friday night at Istana Negara, a day after his retirement day at age of 66 years and six months, the term limit for a Federal Court judge. The extension of his appointment will be for three years.

Both the legal fraternity and opposition politicians had called Raus’ re-appointment unconstitutional. – August 9, 2017.