SUHAKAM INQUIRY | Missing activist Amri Che Mat was declared a bankrupt in 2008.

This was revealed by police observer R Munusamy during the cross-examination of Perlis Hope activist Faisol Abdul Rahman, the inquiry's fourth witness.

"He (Amri) was declared as a bankrupt on March 18, 2008," said Munusamy, who tendered a bankruptcy notice issued to Amri as evidence to the inquiry panel led by Suhakam commissioner Mah Weng Kwai.

Bar Council observer Andrew Khoo later pointed out that having been declared a bankrupt doesn't necessarily reflect Amri's real financial standings.

"For example, if you became a guarantor for someone and that person was unable to pay, the creditors could also seek to declare you as a bankrupt if you refuse to pay," said Khoo, who requested for the police to also produce supporting documents on Amri's current financial status.

However, Mah said the police had done their part by submitting the bankruptcy notice and it was now up to Amri's family lawyer to follow-up on the matter.

"I think now the ball is on the feet of lawyers to do more work. He may even have been discharged (from bankruptcy)," said Mah.

Munusamy (photo), who is Sentul police chief, earlier referred to Faisol's testimony that he believed Amri never had any financial difficulties, as the activist never asked for a loan and would consistently help others.

"I said he had no financial problems because the way he led his life was just like an ordinary person.

"That was my opinion (of Amri's financial status), based on what I have seen," said Faisol, who agreed with Munusamy's suggestion that he was unaware that Amri was declared a bankrupt.

Faisol also said he was unaware that Amri's black Toyota Fortuner - the car he was driving on the night of Nov 24 when he was allegedly abducted - was registered under the name of his brother-in-law Norhafizan Ariffin.

'Forex profits amounted to RM15,000'

Quizzed on Amri's involvement in foreign exchange (forex) trading, Faisol said he only knew several customers who were among their mutual friends.

However, he was not aware of the exact figures traded, beyond what Amri had told him of profits, which sometimes amounted to RM15,000.

Amri's wife Norhayati Ariffin, who was the inquiry's first witness, revealed yesterday that her husband was involved in forex trading since 2007.

In the afternoon session, the inquiry's fifth witness Anwar Ismail said he had assisted Amri in his forex trading activities.

"I have worked him for the past eight years. I did not invest but paid a monthly salary.

"Amri is someone who does not know how to use a computer, so I have been helping him," said Anwar, who is also Amri's distant cousin.

He also confirmed that Amri was once declared a bankrupt but revealed he was told an undisclosed "lump sum" had been paid to the Insolvency Department.

"As far as I know Amri did not owe money to any loan sharks. But he did borrow RM100,000 from 'Major Fauzi'," said Anwar when asked about Amri's financial status.