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| Najib and Altantuya: A Picture Connects Them |
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| Written by Mat Salleh | |
| Sunday, 01 July 2007 | |
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Testimony in a Malaysian courtroom links the deputy prime minister to
a lurid murder case
Najib has repeatedly denied any knowledge of Altantuya. A spokesman said Saturday that he won’t answer any questions concerning her because he has never met her. Nonetheless, opposition leaders Anwar Ibraham of Parti Keadilan and Lim Guan Eng of the Democratic Action Party both pounced on Burmaa’s testimony, demanding he explain the photo, which the woman said she had seen but did not produce. Although he has never been questioned or asked to testify in the murder trial, Najib appears to be linked to nearly everyone involved in the case – the two policemen accused of murdering her, and political analyst Abdul Razak, and now Altantuya herself. The two policemen charged with carrying out the killing are part of an elite force close to Najib’s office. A third suspect, who may be a Najib family bodyguard, has been left out of the case, while the slain woman’s father has repeatedly said his daughter was privy to details of official corruption . Abdul Razak’s lover, the Russian-educated Altantuya, who spoke Russian, Chinese, Japanese and English, was 28 years old when she was killed on October 19 last year. Her body was abandoned in a patch of jungle near the suburban town of Shah Alam and blown apart with hand grenades, according to police. The prosecutor, Tun Abdul Majib, said evidence would be introduced to show that the deceased's cause of death was "probable blast-related injuries.” Other reports said she had been shot twice in the head before being dumped.
Thursday, Burmaa Oyunchimeg read a hand-written letter in court that
is believed to have been Altantuya's final note, saying she was
afraid Abdul Razak was trying to kill her. Writing in broken
English, she said that Abdiul Razak "is powerfull
person, he have money, he have connection in police, in government.
He trying to scare me, trying to kill me." In fact, however, Azilah was head of Najib’s personal security team. In an affidavit filed in December in his defense, Abdul Razak said he had contacted Azilah through Musa Safri, Najib’s aide-de-camp, to ask for help in dealing with Altantuya, who by that time was demanding money to care for a baby she said Abdul Razak had fathered. Another mysterious figure in the case was a woman constable who was mentioned in earlier news reports as “helping police in the investigation into the murder.” She was named for the first time Friday as Lance Corporal Rophaniza Roslan, 29, who said she was off duty the night of Altantuya’s disappearance and was keeping Azila company at the police headquarters in Bukit Aman when the call came in to go to Abdul Razak’s home. News reports aid the woman helped to put Altantuya into the red Proton Saga car that drove her away for the last time. The rumor mill has it that the policewoman is a bodyguard for Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor. The private investigator hired by Razak, P. Balasubramaniam, testified that that a man and a woman were with Azilah when Azilah drove Altantuya away. However, he said he could not recognize the two other individuals. Najib has been asked at press conferences repeatedly about allegations of his involvement in the crime, which also has been the subject of vocal charges by Anwar Ibrahim, the former Deputy Prime Minister and current leader of the opposition reform party, Keadilan Rakyat Malaysia (People’s Justice Party). Najib has just as repeatedly denied any involvement. Other questions have arisen over the politically touchy trial. The case was brought forward by nearly a year, from an original date of April 2008, leading to conjecture that authorities wanted to get it out of the way before elections, which are expected to be called sometime next year. Also, the prosecution team was abruptly changed the night before the trial was to begin, leading new prosecutors to plead for more time to get their case together. Officials said the prosecution team was changed because the original prosecutor was seen playing badminton with the judge although critics have repeatedly said virtually every lawyer in Kuala Lumpur plays badminton with virtually every judge. In Malaysia, the trial is regarded as yet another test of the country’s judicial system and is being closely watched for signs of political influence. (Reformers were jolted this week, meanwhile. when Eric Chia, a longtime crony of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, was freed on embezzlement charges.) Abdul Razak, who is married and has a teenage daughter, acknowledged in his affidavit that he had met Altantuya at a gala party in Hong Kong in 2004 and began a whirlwind affair that included trips to Europe, expensive gifts and cash payments of US$10,000 at a time. The two became so close, according to testimony by Ang Chong Beng, a private investigator hired by the dead woman, that Altantuya said she had married Abdul Razak in Hong Kong. But Abdul Razak reportedly tired of the slender, multi-lingual beauty in 2005, although he continued to give her money. The payments stopped in 2006, prompting the woman to travel to Malaysia at least twice to demand US$500,000 from him. Ang, who began testifying Monday, said he was hired by Altantuya last September to find out whether Abdul Razak was still in the country. Ang said Altantuya had told him, “If Razak does not pay her, she would reveal everything (about her relationship with Razak) to his wife, his daughter Rowena, TV3, reporters and to the rest of the world.” Altantuya visited Abdul Razak’s office several times in the company of two Mongolian friends in an effort to force the political analyst to pay up. Contradicting earlier testimony that Abdul Razak had never mentioned harming Altantuya, one of the murdered woman’s friends testified that they were repeatedly threatened with death. Uuriintuya Gal-Ochir said neither she nor Altantuya lodged a police report because they were afraid of Abdul Razak’s connections to police officers. A private investigator hired by Abdul Razak, P. Balasubramaniam and his assistant, K. Suras Kumar, harassed them six or seven times after their arrival in Malaysia on Oct 8 last year, the woman said. Suras, she said, had threatened to throw her, Altantuya and another friend, Namiraa Gerelma, out of a hotel room window. In previous testimony, Balasubramaniam said Suras had had an affair with one of the women and had been fired. Uuriintuya, however, said the three were so frightened that they remained standing in their hotel room when Suras was let in by Altantuya. In another development, Uuriintuya testified that she remained in Malaysia after the murder, although Namiraa returned home to Mongolia. When Uuriintuya attempted to leave later, she said her entry had been expunged from Malaysian immigration computers. Uuriintuya testified that Namiraa returned home without a problem, but when she tried to leave with Altantuya's father on Nov 24 more than a month after the murder there was no record of their entering the country. “Our entry was deleted in the immigration computer,” she testified. The woman banged the witness stand and added: “There is no record of me coming to Malaysia through Beijing. Why?” Altantuya’s father, Stev Shariibuu, a Mongolian academician, has held numerous press conferences in Kuala Lumpur, repeatedly denying that his daughter was a part-time model, as she had been portrayed in the press, but instead was an accomplished translator who had accompanied Abdul Razak on several business trips. He claimed to reporters that she was killed because she “knew too much” about deals involving Abdul Razak, particularly one involving the purchase of submarines for the Malaysian government through a company in which Abdul Razak holds a significant interest. The 2002 purchase is reported to have netted Abdul Razak a healthy commission from the Malaysian government. That has been denied by Malaysian government officials.
An obviously rattled Abdul Razak sent scores of telephone calls and text messages to Balasubramaniam that night, pleading for help. Shortly after that, according to testimony, the police officials appeared and put Altantuya into the back of the car. She was never seen alive again. But was it a simple case of jealous scorn? Najib might be able to shed some light on the matter. But it seems the court has no stomach for calling him to the stand.
Related Stories: Fury, Scorn and Murder in a Malaysian Courtroom Mongolian beauty’s Malaysian Murder Case Postponed Malaysia’s Deputy Premier Najib in Trouble? Malaysian Mongolian Murder Figure gets a new trial date Malaysian murder a tale of love gone wrong Malaysian Justice is a Waiting Game Malaysian Murder Gets Stickier for Ruling Party Update: Political analyst freed on bail in Mongolian Model Murder
Comments (21)
  written by HG, July 05, 2007
There is justice. Maybe not in this world but there is justice. Those guilty even if not convicted by man made justice system -carry the guilt in their hearts and consciences and will have to face the consequences on the face of death - sooner or later. Can they die peacefully? We can take comfort that justice will definitely be served one way or another. Yes, only God serves the final judgement.
 written by non muslim male, July 29, 2007
why abdul razak,azilah and sirul not judge yet...
because malaysia government(umno) must protect the muslim malay male even they was a killer.. e.g. non muslim malay male had rape muslim female=judge within 1 week.. 2. muslim male rape non muslim female=i never hear that muslim male have any judge.. umno protect: 1.malay 2.muslim 3.umno 4.male i got a question here.. why muslim male like to rape a beauty white skin girl.. never rape black skin girl like OM!? that mean their muslim male have a high psychic intelligence..
 written by aGustina, August 02, 2007
the police keeps on lengthen the due to solve the case in order to make the case forgotten.. no other job they can do???
 written by a guest, March 23, 2008
bull s**t : non muslim male
why abdul razak,azilah and sirul not judge yet... because malaysia government(umno) must protect the muslim malay male even they was a killer.. e.g. non muslim malay male had rape muslim female=judge within 1 week.. 2. muslim male rape non muslim female=i never hear that muslim male have any judge.. umno protect: 1.malay 2.muslim 3.umno 4.male i got a question here.. why muslim male like to rape a beauty white skin girl.. never rape black skin girl like OM!? that mean their muslim male have a high psychic intelligence.. July 30, 2007 just wanna give an opinnion.. what did U thinking...this is not about a racial or religion thing...this is about a judicial system in Malaysia....your are not an open minded and free thinker in here.....plz not to poke any religion members that read this articles..just think before u write sir... thank you
 written by Mabel, May 03, 2008
The world is watching and I want to know what justice our Malaysian court is going to pronounce. I hope for a new government in Malaysia to witness the end of injustice in Malaysia.
 written by Muslim, June 25, 2008
bull s**t : non muslim male
why abdul razak,azilah and sirul not judge yet... because malaysia government(umno) must protect the muslim malay male even they was a killer.. e.g. non muslim malay male had rape muslim female=judge within 1 week.. 2. muslim male rape non muslim female=i never hear that muslim male have any judge.. umno protect: 1.malay 2.muslim 3.umno 4.male i got a question here.. why muslim male like to rape a beauty white skin girl.. never rape black skin girl like OM!? that mean their muslim male have a high psychic intelligence.. you were malaysian... i dont want to mention it but.. please behave yourself. Muslim is Islam man. why you dislike us. what have we dont that make you angry,dont say that our muslim judge dont juge fairly,you may admit it or dont remember that have a 1 case that one chinese women have been rape n killed,the case take only 3 month 2 be solved. im malaysian,n im muslim.. dont say about religion in here
 written by RePe, July 04, 2008
With the reference to the Altantuya case at this late date, and its complicated and ever-growing contradictory files of evidence, would it not be in Malaysia's interest to clarify the facts in the case by inviting a disinterested party ( such as an foreign team of investigators from the United States, Canada,Hong Kong, the United Kingdom or Australia)to establish a clear series of factual findings. The international advantages of such an effort to the Malaysian Government would be clear: it has made a serious effort to generate a dispassionate analysis from disinterested parties, it has laid the groundwork for securing judicial review, it has eliminated a source of internal dissension and polemics, and it has shown its goodwill in getting to the sources of the evidence. Why not try such an approach to clearing the names of people and officials who are politically accused of not showing goodwill? The publicity and benefits of such a move outweigh the political risks of accusations of " interference" in the affairs of a sovereign country. Just a thought in this internet world.
 written by PeAcE, November 12, 2008
Well, seriously I found d comment left by non-muslim is like triggering the muslim ppl in Malaysia..maybe is a fact or maybe it is just a coincidence the example tat he had given...yet I found the comment left by pengintip was also absurb..maybe bcoz it has to do wit religion tat outraged him but still U do nt hv d right to call ppl stupid for is just a pure opinion by ppl..I believe ur religion do nt teach u to be so harsh to ppl..According to my info, islam pressed onto "kesederhanaan". It means 'sederhana' in thinking, actions and also ur WORDS..there happened racial clash before and it resulted in thousands of innocent life lost...it is only a tool manipulated by the elite to create a disharmonious relationship between d race in Malaysia in order to gain support of their own race for their political career...Pls do nt fall into d trap set for the benefits of certain ppl..as for Altantuya's case...I agreed wit guest's opinion tat it is about Malaysia's judicial system...Ppl are acting like they r above the law and so Malaysia has becoming further away frm an ideal democratic country each day...Ppl are afraid to speak up for they might offend somebody without knowing it and makes them end up lock behind d bars....In this case...not much can be done for someone is covering up for somebody who is influential in our country...n so someone will be backed up by the somebody and escape frm d law and jugdement..
written by RC, March 03, 2009
Agree with Joyce ( No Justice In This World)
- I do Believe in God..wether u're Muslim or non-muslim..be aware..we're not going to Breath forever..
written by AreaL, April 12, 2009
There is nothings wrong with religion..
It's not about religion.. It"s about personally individually.. Don't make ur mind too short k..
written by people of malaysia, May 17, 2009
To all my fellow Malaysians young and old, from all races and from all walks of life, I am writing in concern to our PM saying that he wants to be the rakyat's PM, but the question is does the rakyat want Najib as the PM, the rakyat has been neglected by UMNO for a very long time.
They have been feeding themselves and their kroni, unaccounted for billions of tax payers ringgits has been swindled, from the top ranking Police to the ministers all are guilty of abusing power and the basic right of every single Malaysian. Najib now has just become the PM and says that he wants to be the rakyats PM, is he ready to face the rakyat?, is he ready to be questioned and be challenged by the rakyat? , is he ready for open debate with the rakyat? The questions can go on and on, and if so is our PM ready to free the media, give people to true freedom of speech, reform the government to be more transparent and professional , MACC to be more transparent, Police investigations to be more professional, transparent and independent from government decisions, the courts and justice system to be overhauled and be more transparent. My friends till our PM gives real democracy to us and our country, he for sure is not my PM and I do not know about you but its time things change, we need reform, we need justice, we need freedom and we need to be free from suppression and being mislead . We have heard enough lies from the people that run our country, we have been controlled and dictated for long enough. I call for all Malaysians to stand up for their basic rights, UMNO has had their chance to prove themselves and has failed time and time again, so I guess its time for change. Drastic action has to be taken to win the hearts of the rakyat back, the rakyat is no longer stupid, it took them 52 years and now they want to be the peoples PM. This was because of their tsunami lost in the 2008 elections. I wish that this is read by every Malaysian, and I ask for our dearest PM to answer to meet the demands of the rakyat before saying that he wants to be the rakyats PM. To all of you who read this please pass this message on to all our fellow Malaysians and friends, let the world know whats happening in Malaysia and lets demand for change. Its time for CHANGE!!! people of Malaysia
written by concerned, June 28, 2009
in one blog they talk about
replacing the 2 policeman with some one else and give new identity to the cops ha think for a moment why would you keep 2 key witnesses alive who could blow the whistle??? really dont make sense yes? who will be there when the hangman puts the noose arround their neck ?who will say yes this are the real 2 guys ha this is all getting out of hands and be cloudedmore and more by the day in goods name put an end to this as a nation offer the family in mongolia a settlement that lets them go one with their liver and care for the kidds who have no mother any longer in gods name show the world that the nation is not made up out of barbaric killers but human beings in fact the blood in all our veines is read or is it? stop it the real truth god knows and i believe the real offenders will be judged when judgment day arrives so meanwhile stand up as a nation and demand and amicable settlement to this misery concerned
written by Najis Najib, January 19, 2010
Its so obvious that b*st*rd Pm Najib is involved in the murder all the time...How can Malaysia vote such a person to become PM....Must be blind?
written by armie, May 08, 2010
Now 2 out of 3 offenders have been found guilty.The question is why the 2policemen killed Altantuya?Do they really know who Altantuya is? This question remained unsolved.I hope the 2 policemen will reveal the truth someday hopefully.
written by fan of justice, May 22, 2010
HE should be BROUGHT to court once and for all--- no point of open descusions like here, blog postings or pointing fingers. This are all old fashion. By he not going to court just proves that the system is manipulated. Najib, go to court-
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Months of conjecture in Malaysia about the relationship of Deputy
Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to Altantuya Shaariibuu have been
heightened by testimony Friday of Altantuya’s cousin, Burmaa
Oyunchimeg, that she had seen a photo of Najib having dinner with the
Mongolian beauty and Abdul Razak Baginda, who is accused of arranging
for her murder.
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