PUTRAJAYA: There is sufficient new evidence and clues to reopen the investigation into the 2006 murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu.
Ramkarpal Singh, who is representing Altantuya’s family, said he is optimistic that the case would be reopened for further investigation to ascertain who had ordered her killing.
“The meeting with Attorney-General Tommy Thomas today (Tuesday) went well. We raised several matters over how the case can be reopened for investigation, and on whether a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) can be established.
“We are optimistic that this matter can be reopened or investigated further based on the motive of who instructed Altantuya’s killing, in order to bring those responsible to justice.
“We have new leads which can be taken into account for further investigations, but we are not at liberty to disclose them at the moment,” he told reporters after meeting Thomas at the Attorney-General’s Chambers here.
Also present in the meeting was Altantuya’s father, Dr Shaariibuu Setev.
Ramkarpal said the Attorney-General said he would need to review all related case files, not just from a criminal case perspective but also a civil one.
“Given that the duration of this case was 12 years, he had also reviewed relevant case files to learn more about what happened. We are confident and positive that there is a good chance the matter will be continued.
“No time frame has been fixed for the investigation but based on this meeting, the indication is that it cannot be delayed any longer as it has already dragged on for 12 years,” he said.
On whether Dr Shaariibuu had made any requests to Thomas, Ramkarpal replied that his request was the same as the public at large, which was to see justice done.
“That is his (Dr Shaariibuu’s) main wish, to see justice served,” said Ramkarpal.
He said the meeting also touched on whether former police officer, Sirul Azhar Umar, who is now in Australia, needs to be extradited or otherwise.
“This needs to be raised and discussed. However, I maintain my stand that there is no need to bring Sirul back for now.
“We stressed on this matter and the Attorney-General concurred that we have other more important evidence within the country which can facilitate further investigation.
“If this case can be resolved with further investigation via existing new evidence, I feel that there would not be a need for an RCI to be held,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Shaariibuu said he is only seeking justice for his daughter as to him, no one is above the law.
“I hope this case ends well and improves the relations between Malaysia and Mongolia,” he said.
Asked on what he plans to inform Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in their meeting on Wednesday, he said he was confident that the PM can help him solve the problems related to Altantuya’s murder.
“I will ask for his help to solve this problem, for the sake of justice,” he said.
On April 9, 2009, the Shah Alam High Court sentenced Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar to death after finding them guilty of killing Antantuya, 28, at Mukim Bukit Raja, Shah Alam, Selangor between 10pm on October 19 and 1am on October 20, 2006.
On August 23, 2013, the Court of Appeal had allowed an appeal from Azilah and Sirul Azhar and freed them of the charge. However, on January 31, 2015, the Federal Court allowed an appeal from the prosecution and set aside the Court of Appeal’s ruling and found Sirul Azhar and Azilah guilty, and handed them the death sentence.
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