What Really Happened To Altantuya?

The more I read the news and listen to 'stray talk' and rumours, the more I'm convinced that there is something about the Altantuya murder case that we either don't know or are not being told. At first it seemed to me a romance between a debonair Malaysian political analyst, Abdul Razak Baginda and the ravishing Mongolian model which turned sour and led to perhaps threats or blackmail resulting in her death. All that remained was for the law to determine who committed the murder and the guilty charged in and punished by the courts.

However as the days went by it was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the hushed talk here about the involvement of at least one very highly placed politician. Try a Google search regarding the murder and inevitably the same name, that of Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Najib Abdul Razak keeps popping up. What has Najib got to do with the romance and the murder? Did he too have an affair with Altantuya? It wouldn't be the first time, if you get my drift. Or did he 'facilitate' the removal of the model with his considerable influence? These are perhaps the two main questions on everyone's mind.

Now we also see a lot of pressure coming from Mongolia. Recently a group of 45 Mongolian non-government organisations issued a statement, expressing concern that "the real criminals who ordered the crime may escape justice while the physical performers of the crime become scapegoats". Now what is one to make of that kind of sweeping claim? And mind you they used the plural - criminals. Altantuya's father, Setev Shaariibuu who was here during mention of the case said, "this is an international case, this is a brutal murder. It (the trial) was all about releasing him, all about his family, and his background ... I hope justice will be served." On top of that The Mongolian PM has asked for updates of the trial.

Early in the case, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi promised there would be no cover-up, but the Government has since refused to comment, saying the case is before the court.

That has not stopped opposition politicians. In Parliament, Karpal Singh of the Democratic Action Party has claimed the C4 explosives could only have been found in the Defence Ministry.

"So what was the link of the Defence Ministry (with the case)?" he reportedly asked Parliament this month. "Why was Altantunya's body exploded? Was she pregnant? Are the police afraid to investigate because it involved a highly placed minister?"

Another opposition politician, Syed Husin Ali of the People's Justice Party, said: "Should the Government continue to be silent, rumours will spread even further and will eventually be accepted as the truth by the public." The trial is expected to begin January 5th 2007.

So things are going to hot up next month when the trial proper starts.

FOR THE LATEST ON TODAY'S CASE:
1) Altantuya Murder: Case Fixed For Mention On Jan 5
2) Lawyers Engage In Verbal Spat Over Cops' Counsel
Picture Source

Update 12/15/06: From The Straits Times (Singapore)
THE prosecutor in the sensational murder case of a Mongolian model here has asked a High Court judge for an early trial date to quell rumours that persons other than the three accused men were involved.

In what was the first official acknowledgement of swirling speculation of political involvement in the case, government prosecutor Salehuddin Saidin spoke at a packed Shah Alam High Court near here yesterday.

'An early trial is needed. There are too many insinuations and speculations about the involvement of other people,' he said.

'Those responsible are those brought to court today. We are satisfied there is no one else aside from the three accused.'

He was speaking during the first mention in court of Ms Altantuya Shaariibuu's murder case.

Prominent political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, a close associate of Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, has been charged with abetting her murder.

Two policemen, Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri and Constable Sirul Azhar Umar, who were attached to an elite unit tasked with VIP protection, have been charged with her murder. The unit's charges include the Prime Minister and his deputy.

All three men face the death penalty if convicted.

It is alleged that Ms Shaariibuu was shot and her body blown to bits with C4 explosives on the night of Oct 19. Bone fragments belonging to her were found at a secluded spot just outside Kuala Lumpur.

The sensational elements of the case have sparked an intense media frenzy and public interest. The court yesterday was packed with more than 100 members of the public, lawyers, reporters and family members of the three accused. Although the hearing started after 9am, the courtroom was full by 8am. Policemen had to lock the doors to prevent more people from entering.

Responding to the prosecution yesterday, Judicial Commissioner Zaki Md Yasin said the trial date would be set on Jan 5, when the case is mentioned before the designated trial judge, Datuk K.N. Segara.

He also extended an earlier decision by the Kuala Lumpur High Court last month to grant bail to Abdul Razak for medical reasons. But unlike the Kuala Lumpur High Court, which did not ask for bail to be deposited, he ordered the sum of RM1 million (S$434,000) to be deposited with the court before Abdul Razak could be released. Abdul Razak managed to raise bail by 3pm and left the courthouse with his family in a Mercedes-Benz car.

During the hearing earlier, Datuk Zaki said that Datuk Segara would also hear a formal objection to bail by the prosecution on Jan 5. Yesterday's proceedings marked the first time Abdul Razak had appeared in court together with Azilah and Sirul Azhar. They sat next to each other in the dock, with scant acknowledgement of each other.

In the only surprise in yesterday's hearing, Abdul Razak was represented by a new lawyer, Mr Wong Khian Kheong. Mr Wong replaces Mr M. Puravelan and the high-profile Datuk Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who is considered to be one of the best defence lawyers in the country. Both of them are believed to have been discharged.

No reason was given to the court as to why they had been replaced. Mr Wong declined comment to reporters.

Also present in court yesterday was a Mongolian lawyer representing the victim's family, and a senior official from the Mongolia Foreign Ministry. The lawyer, Mr Bayar Budragchaa, told reporters that besides wanting justice to be served, the priority of the victim's family was to recover Ms Shaariibuu's bone fragments which were still in the possession of the police.

Prosecutor Salehuddin told the court yesterday the police needed to keep the remains for at least another week.

In a related development, Mongolia's Foreign Ministry Special Secretary Aruinbold Yadma yesterday handed over a letter from his government to a representative of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi. The letter is believed to be a request for a fair and open trial in the case, which has also caused widespread concern in Mongolia.

Update 1/5/07:
1) Altantuya Shaariibuu Murder Trial Hearing On March 10, 2008

Recent Post (4/19/07) : What Has Najib Got To Do With Altantuya's Murder?
LATEST (6/4/2007): Altantuya's Family Files RM100 Million Suit

Update (6/21/07): Razak Baginda Did Not Ask Me To Kill Altantuya, Says Private Investigator.