NEWS ANALYSIS BY JAHABAR SADIQ, EDITOR
The Malaysian Insider
August 23, 2013
Seven years on, no one has paid the price for the death of Altantuya Shaariibuuu. And no one knows why the pretty Mongolian was killed one night in October 2006.
But today’s Court of Appeal decision does not close the file on her mysterious murder.
Instead, the ruling to acquit former chief inspector Azilah Hadri and former corporal Sirul Azhar Umar raises more questions than ever.
Who killed her? Why?
She was shot dead and C4 explosives were allegedly used to blow her to bits but both police commandos said they had no access to the explosives. So what happened? Were there others involved?
She came into the country but there were no immigration records with her name. Did she use another passport? Can the authorities explain this?
Some of these questions that could have been answered if the likes of DSP Musa Safri had been called to give evidence.
The prosecution did not call him and the appeal court today allowed the appeal because material witnesses were not called to testify, including Musa.
Musa would have been able to testify what help that political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda had asked him to fend off Altantuya.
The interpreter had become Abdul Razak’s lover but later hounded him that he had to hire private investigator P. Balasubramaniam to keep watch on her. When Altantuya turned up that fateful night on October 18, 2006, the policemen scooped her and that was the last time she was seen alive.
What followed rocked Malaysia’s political establishment. Abdul Razak was held in connection with the murder and both police commandos Azilah and Sirul were later charged for Altantuya’s murder.
Their connection to each other was simply Musa, who was aide-de-camp to then deputy prime minister and defence minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Now prime minister, Najib has denied any links to the case although Abdul Razak was closely associated with him. Will today’s ruling provide closure for him too?
Will it also provide closure for Abdul Razak, who was the first to be acquitted of conspiring to kill Altantuya. He had admitted to fending her off but not asking for her death.
Interestingly, the prosecution never appealed his acquittal.
But the prosecution has said it would appeal today’s ruling that freed Azilah and Sirul, both of whom were hooded and shielded from public view during their 159-day murder trial.
That again raises more questions. And endless possibilities. – August 23, 2013.
#1 by yhsiew on Friday, 23 August 2013 - 1:42 pm
The acquittal of former chief inspector Azilah Hadri and former corporal Sirul Azhar Umar is a foregone conclusion. If those at the top do not respect the rules of law, how can the gangsters and gunmen have fear of the rules of law?
#2 by DAP man on Friday, 23 August 2013 - 1:54 pm
How can they be hanged for doing a favour for those in power?
I am sure they have been assured from the very beginning that they have to “main wayang” with them and finally will be released.
Can anyone still have trust in this government and its judicial system?
#3 by Bigjoe on Friday, 23 August 2013 - 2:18 pm
Are we either jumping the gun or way too late to ask this question?
Should not the question now is how is it that every single time a case for the UMNO/BN-powerful-linked or the govt goes infront of the appeals court, the case always in their favour ESPECIALLY DURING NAJIB’s Tenure.
Our courts is a joke, the whole case is a joke, and the Rakyat got shafted which they will again when GST is imposed, subsidies removed and another round of inflation, happening since 2009, the start of Najib’s tenure, comes…
#4 by good coolie on Friday, 23 August 2013 - 2:38 pm
If the fellows are hooded in court all the time, how is the general public to recognize them for the purpose of possible evidence against them or their colleagues?
Let us say I saw a fellow leading a Monrovian girl to some bushes, and that fellow was in the papers accused of the murder of that Monrovian girl. Then I could contact the police and give evidence against that fellow. With the accused hooded, that opportunity is not presented to the general public. After acquittal, if I see the accused having tea with an important politician, I could see some connection, something that made sense. At the very least, I would not make the mistake of inviting two policemen to my children’s birthday party.
“Take it from me”, this hooded-hero thing is not good for us.
#5 by Abba Mama on Friday, 23 August 2013 - 3:57 pm
May be LKS and his cronies got the answer so just expose them without any fear instead of playing behind the bush.
#6 by tuahpekkong on Friday, 23 August 2013 - 6:04 pm
The police, the prosecutors and everybody else are all “inept”. She could not have stolen some C4 explosive, tied it to her body, went to the scene and blew herself up. Perhaps the life of a person coming from a poor and weak country is not precious. We have now made ourselves the laughing stock of the whole world. When will the culprit(s) receive his/their deserved punishment? I hope her spirit will dog the culprit(s).
#7 by lee tai king (previously dagen) on Friday, 23 August 2013 - 6:06 pm
Endless possibilities.
Yes. Malaysia boleh.
Oh yeah. I hv forgotten my old punchline.
Jib jib satu boleh.
Ros Ros satu cantik.
or in short
JJ1B
RR1C.
#8 by cinaindiamelayubersatu on Friday, 23 August 2013 - 6:53 pm
Di dunia dia lepas di akhirat dia kena jawab
#9 by sheriff singh on Friday, 23 August 2013 - 9:07 pm
Maybe somebody made her pregnant.
Maybe she came to Malaysia to look for the father to ask for child support.
Maybe the father got panicky.
Maybe when the child is born, DNA tests will show who the father is.
Maybe he is somebody very high up and very important.
Maybe all the evidences have to be disposed off.
Maybe there are many other reasons.
Endless Possibilities. Maybe.
#10 by john on Friday, 23 August 2013 - 9:10 pm
A gruesome muder being treated like ‘child-play’ and ALL taken as fools not able to think. And still remained unresolved ! after all the major long-winded trials – right from start was very clear why being drag, drag, drag. Firstly, awaiting someone to be ‘PM’ so to , then,,,
#11 by mauriyaII on Friday, 23 August 2013 - 9:42 pm
If curses come true, I would without any hesitation curse all those connected implicitly or by negligence in the gruesome murder of the pregnant Mongolian lady to die a very miserable and long suffering death. In death their true nature should all be known so that the rakyat can spit on them, their children and future generations. They should be treated like the bubonic plague – despised and treated like lepers.
“Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely” is very true with all those involved in Altantuya’s murder case where they abused their powers to vindicate their abhorrent act.
#12 by negarawan on Friday, 23 August 2013 - 11:29 pm
This is indeed a very sad day not only for all fair-minded Malaysians, but also fair-minded people around the world. I cannot imagine the feelings of Altantuya’s family and the Mongolian community. The manner in which the entire Altantuya court case was handled is a reflection of the way UMNO is running the country – through deceit, corruption, lies, falsehood, concealing of the truth, religious/moral hypocrisy, bribery, ruthlessness, and cruelty. While it may be futile to try to get any fair and just outcome from the Malaysian judiciary, the real masterminds and accomplices behind the death of Altantuya will eventually have to face Allah. So, Jib and gang, you may run now but you cannot hide forever. Let us as Malaysians, irregardless of race and religion, come together to pray for a just outcome for Altantuya and her family. This may not happen in the near future, but it will surely come…….
#13 by adamsemenanjung on Monday, 26 August 2013 - 12:32 pm
The whole episode on Altantuya is so obvious, pointing to very serious, high level power abuse, worse than what we have seen in the Hollywood movies about scandals. Is the ruling government assuming that we, the rakyat are all idiots? Just a simple example of who authorize the police to kill is unresolved? Another simple question, why isn’t Abdul Razak Baginda charged for khalwat or zina? There is already admission on his side. How can all the alleged ones come out ‘clean’ and freed when evidences are so obvious? Why the court didn’t pursue the questioning of their higher leaders? Just incredibly too much of cover-up and blatant abuse! Plus, the whole unresolved GE13 issues. Our country can not go on like this.
#14 by adamsemenanjung on Monday, 26 August 2013 - 12:34 pm
YB Lim, this is the time for online and offline rally for juctice!