DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang should assist the special task force set up to probe the foreign exchange losses incurred by Bank Negara Malaysia more than two decades ago, according to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said.

"He should be the first man to support the task force.

"This is because he was so vocal in the 1990s in the Dewan Rakyat by bringing up various motions to propose the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to probe the losses.

"Thus, this is the best opportunity for him to prove he had basis to bring up the motions in 1993 and 1994. He should assist the task force by reviewing thoroughly all the relevant facts. Or, was he just confusing the House at the time?" she asked in a media statement today.

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister's Office announced the setting up of the special task force, which would comprise highly respected individuals from various fields, and would ascertain how much losses were incurred and whether there was any cover-up involved.

Yesterday, the central bank had pledged to cooperate with the task force.

Following this, Lim claimed that all cabinet ministers were guilty of collosal negligence, when they could set up the special task force for the forex losses, but dare not breathe a word on the 1MDB scandal.

In calling for Lim to stop politicising the issue, Azalina said : "The tendency of him changing his principle and stance portrays an attitude of inconsistency, which should be assessed by DAP supporters."

Azalina, who is the minister in-charge of legal affairs, said the government would continue to uphold the rule of law principle, in whatever investigation, to ensure there is no abuse and misappropriation in the administration of governance.

She said the government also observes the principle of "innocent until proven guilty" and therefore, the task force would review and assess the matter based on evidence before deciding on the next course of action.

"The decision to set up the task force proves that the government is always open in issues of national interest," she added.

The loss of billions in foreign exchange was played up after Dr Mahathir Mohamad sought to unite the opposition in a bid to oust Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Mahathir was prime minister when Bank Negara's activities in the forex market turned sour.

Mahathir had also accused Najib of corruption but the latter has denied this.