The government's credibility will hang in the balance until the main players of the 1992-1994 currency speculation clarify their role in the scheme that led to the loss of billions of ringgit, said DAP leader Lim Kit Siang.

Former finance minister Daim Zainuddin and current Second Finance Minister Nor Mohamed Yakcop are among the key figures who have yet to explain their roles in the scandal, he said when contacted today.

"There is no doubt that Nor Mohamed was a key player in the affair... In view of the position that he holds as second finance minister, he is (duty-bound) to uphold transparency and accountability.

"Not only his credibility, but the credibility of the entire government comes under question if he continues to hide away from being accountable. Daim also owes the nation a full explanation."

Nor Mohamed could not be reached today for a response despite numerous attempts to reach him and his aides.

Lim was responding to claims that have emerged from various quarters pertaining to the roles of Daim, Nor Mohamed, and former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamed in the forex scandal.

Malaysiakini today reported claims by former Bank Negara official Rosli Yaakop that despite being blacklisted from working in financial institutions, Nor Mohamed has progressively gone up the corporate and government ladder to hold top posts.

Currency trading room

In an earlier report, former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim had alleged that much of the speculation exercise was done behind the back of then Bank Negara governor - the late Jaffar Hussein - although he was later forced to step down following an internal inquiry.

Following this, Rosli revealed that Jaffar ( photo ), who died in 1996, had been "among the chief architects" of the speculation exercise.

Mahathir corroborated this yesterday, saying that Jaffar had made the decision to venture into currency trading.

According to him, Bank Negara had set up a "currency trading room" in London and invited him to see what they were doing.

"It was a Bank Negara decision and Nor Mohamed was in charge - I am not blaming him but he was in charge - and he did the trading. He was making money, of course, nobody complained," said Mahathir.

Commenting on this, Lim said he believes Jaffar did indeed know about the forex speculation plans, but the extent of Jaffar's knowledge has yet to be determined.