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Again, What Did Najib Know and When Did He Know It?

Written by Our Correspondent

Monday, 09 March 2009

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An influential French daily newspaper raises new questions over the murder of a Mongolian translator in Malaysia

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, in an explosive article in the French daily newspaper Liberation by reporter Arnad Dubus, is tied ever closer to events that led to the murder of Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu. Najib has been selected by the United Malays National Organization as the ethnic political party’s presidential nominee, which is tantamount to his succeeding Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when the latter steps down as prime minister in April.

What follows is a translation of Dubus's article.

Shaaribuu Setev is a bitter and disappointed man. Yet, behind the saddened face of this Mongolian lies a fierce determination. Seated in a sofa in the lobby of an Ulaan Baataar hotel rattled by the gusts of a freezing wind, this 60year-old man is ready to fight. His facial features, hardened by the suffering and the stern climate, and his intense gaze tell all. "My daughter was murdered by Malaysians on Malaysian territory. And they did not have even offer a word of apology," states this professor of psychology at the National University of Mongolia.

The assassination of Setev’s daughter, Altantuya Shaaribuu, took place in October 2006. This was a murder unlike others in a region where business conflicts or petty politics are often settled with a gun. Everything in this case, which started in 2002 when the French Spanish company Armaris concluded the sale of three submarines to the Malaysian government for the amount of €1 billion, is out of the ordinary.

The impact of the "Altantuya case" in France, Malaysia and Mongolia has yet to reach its climax. The murder of the 28 year old Mongolian was the result of a "commission" at the price of €114 million by Armaris to its Malaysian counterpart. This "commission," which was acknowledged by the Malaysian government in front of the Parliament in Kuala Lumpur, has triggered a chain of events that has led to the assassination of Altantuya and the disappearance of several key witnesses in the case.

A report from the Malaysian police, written on 19th November 2006 and which has been kept secret until now (can be read below), reveals dry and precise descriptions as to how the young woman, a member of Asian high society, was killed. In this document, one of the killers, a policeman of the Malaysian Special Branch named Sirul Omar, replied to the questions of an officer at a police station close to the murder scene. "When the Chinese woman saw that I was taking a gun, she begged me to spare her, saying she was pregnant. Azilah (the commanding officer of Sirul) grabbed her and [threw] her on the ground. I immediately shot the left side of her face. Then Azilah took off her clothes and put them in a black plastic bag. Azilah noticed that her hand was still moving. He ordered me to shoot again, which I did", said Sirul.

This is the first confirmation of Altantuya's assassins' identity.

"Then we carried her body into the woods. Azilah wrapped the explosives around her legs, her abdomen and her head, and we exploded her."

The revelation of this report in the French newspaper Liberation is the latest chapter in this colorful and dramatic saga featuring French weapons sellers, a Mongolian shaman, and Malaysian politicians. The case is explosive not only for the Malaysian government, since Deputy Prime minister Najib Razak (who is scheduled to become Prime minister at the end of March) is suspected of having links to the case, but also because it could embarrass the DCNS, a French company specializing in military shipbuilding. The French Spanish company Armaris, which sold two Scorpène and one Agosta submarines to Malaysia in June 2002, was bought by DCNS in 2007.

With her magnetic beauty and sophistication, Altantuya was reminiscent of the troubling image of a Far East Mata Hari. She grew up in Saint Petersburg (Russia), then studied at the Institute of Economic Management in Beijing. Besides speaking English, she was fluent in Russian, Chinese and Korean. The fateful cycle for Altantuya came into gear when she met Abdul Razak Baginda in Hong Kong in 2004. Baginda is a security expert and the director of the Malaysian Strategic Research Center, a pro-government think-tank. The two quickly became romantically involved. Altantuya, nicknamed Tuya by her friends, proved to be a useful assistant, helping Baginda translate from Russian to English.

Whereas Altantuya was young and beautiful, the rich and alluring Baginda was a well known figure of the Kuala Lumpur elite, notably because of his proximity to the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and minister of Defense, Najib Razak (he is also his security affairs adviser). Baginda paraded in the most exclusive circles of Kuala Lumpur, sometimes accompanied by his legitimate wife.

In March 2005, Altantuya and Baginda departed for Europe, touring France, Germany, Italy and Portugal in Baginda’s red Ferrari, staying in posh hotels and dining in the finest restaurants of the old Continent. This trip, however, was not only for tourism: the contract for the sale of the submarines had been signed in 2002, but important details had yet to be settled.

"We knew that Baginda was used by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak as an intermediary for weapons systems deals, especially the high level ones," says a regional security affairs expert.

At the end of March 2005 the couple was in Paris, where they met with Najib Razak. A picture shows the threesome in a Parisian private club. "Tuya showed me the pix. She said that one of the men was her boyfriend, Abdul Razak Baginda, and the other the "big boss", Najib Razak. I asked her if they were brothers because of the names, but she said no, and that Najib Razak was the ‘prime minister’", said Amy, Altantuya’s best friend (Najib Razak has sworn on the Koran that he has never met Altantuya).

According to a private detective now in hiding in India, the beautiful Tuya was also the occasional mistress of the deputy Prime minister, who was introduced to her by Baginda at the end of 2004.

The story became dramatic when, in October 2006, Altantuya was informed that the commission paid by the French-Spanish company Armaris had arrived on a Kuala Lumpur bank account. It had been paid to Perimekar, a company owned by Baginda. Altantuya rushed to Kuala Lumpur in order to claim her share of the commission from Baginda ; she said she was entitled to US$500,000. Baginda and Altantuya had broken up prior to this.

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My prodigy
written by Mamakthir, March 09, 2009

He will be a good prodigy.

baginda
written by Rusman, March 09, 2009

How in the world does Baginda get off from this without a conviction?
Anyone from oxford reading this? Are you sure you want to be sitting in class next to someone implicated in a murder?

Malaysians have always been stupid!
written by Fortune Teller, March 09, 2009

If Malaysian want a better Malaysia they should be united.We have reached a crossroad in the 21st Century.We have only two choices.Either we take the opportunity and chose a government who will think of all the reces in Malaysia.Which means-putting religion aside and having a government of the people or not.The first issue is
(a) Citizenship-do you want "all men to be equal"? If you do then move that affirmative action must be limited to a cathegory of people ( ie.poor) and must be limited by time. Every Chinese, Indian and Malay must be equal in the eyes of the law.In the United States when the "blacman" could not vote 50 years ago, the policy of equality bore out and after 50 years a blacman is now the President of the USA. It works on merit.His father was not Royalty neither was his relatives a former President.In 4 years if he does not perform he is out!! In Malaysia, we has one for 22 years and now the baton is being passed to a 'privileged person". If all men are equal-we can joyfully sing "Negara Ku".

(b) The policy of segregation must end. The must be respect for diveristy.Mara and Malay College must close.All races msut go to the same university.The Malay Regiment must be disbanded or non-Malays should be invited to join.

(c) Truth and Reconciliation Commission-there msut be a May 13th Commission to made available a report as to who cause the riots in Malaysia on May 13th 1969-The government or the People.I am confident that you will findthat the government triggered it.If you ask me where is the proof.I will say the secrecy shows that the government does not want people to know-adverse inference if you are protected by secrecy under the OSA.By the way, this is important because the government may do it again!

(d) all paries that are set up on racial lines must be disbanded by law.No more MCA, MIC or UMNO.There msu be only multiracial parties.

(e) Selection ofcabinet positions to be on merit and not professional politicians.They must be educated and also accountable in Parliament, which should be telcasted live.

The only way we can do all this is to VOTE the OPPOSITION. I am not in favor of any party but we msut have 2 parties or more-Plurality.

The other option is to have another 50 years of Corruption, Nepotism,Cronyism among other ailments and we will end up like Zimbabwe. That is now BN's dream.They dont care-their cghildren are studying overseas while Malay, Chinese and Indian children are on a downward trend!

apartheid
written by rico, March 10, 2009

Yes Najib is a murderer and a corrupt politican and he is going to be the next Malaysian Prime Minister. soon we will be a basket case like the rest of the Asean region except Singapore which is of course a "Temasek: party" nation. democracy and fairness is a joke in our region.

Complicity in murder & criminal misgovernment
written by Antares, March 10, 2009

Anybody who as much as shakes Najib or Rosmah's hand deserves to be condemned & written off as a friend - same as anyone who continues to work for Robert & Grace Mugabe.

Dangers ahead for Democracy in Malaysia
written by Joseph Wong, March 10, 2009

If Najib Tun Razak can have the audicity to take on this position of PM of Malaysia after all what has been said about him-alleged complicity in a murder and corruption working with Baginda in relation to the submarines ( why we need them I dont know-they will probably sink before engaging the enemy like all the aircraft we bought from the junk yard) and his arbitrary use of the Police and Judiciary to contain the allegations-we are in real trouble.

I am moving to iceland! Bye!

When he comes to power he will use these draconian powers to put many people in jail.So be prepared to get your soap and towel ready for Kajang Prison, that is if you are lucky-you may be blown up by C-4 !!

Malaysia's Shame
written by Nama Busok, March 11, 2009

Wow . . the image & international standing of Malaysia.is completely tarnished & ruined.

We can pretend and buat bodoh but everyone now knows Mr Axxl cum Detonator will be ruling Malaysia..

How ? How? . . . . .

What more to know?, Lowly rated comment [Show]

TO HELL IS WAITING FOR THE REAL MURDERER !
written by MY GOD, March 14, 2009

Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of Malaysia's next prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, she stressed that her conscience was clear, saying that her own test of character is "whether you wake up , in the morning and look in the mirror, whether you like yourself or not, whether you have told the truth or not." - AP She forgot that the soul and spirit of Altantuya is waiting and going to curse and haunt her husband anytime and anywhere he goes. Tell Rosmah to raise her hand and voice to swear in front of Altantuya photo in the eyes of the public that Najib is innocent without knowing and touching a single hair of Altantuya. Ripley said "Believe it or not ...she dares no raise her voice and her hand to confess it. A Malay proverb saying: "A LIAR NEVER CLOSE HER EYES NO MATTER WHAT SHE SAYS, A LIAR IS ALWAYS A LIAR." A Chinese proverb saying : "A Paper cannot cover up A Fire", the Smoke will come out with more FIRE". "My daughter has been murdered by Malaysians on Malaysian territory. And they did not even offer a word of apology," states Altantuya's dad, a professor of psychology at the National University of Mongolia.” Ii is indeed shameful to declare we are Malaysians when we are visiting overseas. This is because the remark above branded all Malaysians are Murderers of a pregnant Mongolian girl in a lawless land called Malaysia Boleh. What a disgraceful remark to all Malaysians ? Many doubtful questions were unanswered by UMNO leads BN government and the Judges in the Court. Why the BN government is silent and kept shut up on his remark? Why UMNO does not take action against the French journalist on her report in Paris news? Why BN and UMNO are not telling the whole truth and clean up the messes in this high profile case? Who is hiding and cover up who in this murder case ? Why the two police officers were charged on carrying out their strict duties by obeying their leaders' orders in PDRM ? Who instructions and who gave them the order to execute the pregnant Mongolian girl ? Why the accused police officers dare not speak up and confess to tell the truth in the Court ? Do we Malaysians want to shake dirty hands of unclear PM today ? Do we want to see the World Leaders shy away and walk out when the PM approaches them ? Last but not least, do Malaysians want a tainted PM to lead a democracy Malaysia ? InsyALLAH ... GOD knows better ! TO HELL IS WAITING FOR THE REAL MURDERER ! - MY GOD
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They are all the same
written by yo ho hos, March 16, 2009

Razak Baginda will not come back. Why should he come back? What credility will he have? He will stay back in UK and teach the Brits how to "politic" like a Malaysian. He has enough money given to him in UK to last a lifetime. This is the kind of BUMI that has evolved over the last 50 years. Educated(but not well educated), well connected to corrupt politicians and crazy for quick money, power and of course, women. The more the merrier. Can anyone tell me of highly principled well educated Bumis in the country? They may start off full of morals, but somewhere along the line they end up thirsting for power, money and women. As for as the last desire is concerned, it is a common denominator among the Bumis. For this, they are all the same, whether they are a perverted religious group or not, the hunger for women is always there. If you have read Admiral Zheng He's reports, you will know what I am talking about.

How is this being covered in the malaysian media?
written by asdf, March 17, 2009

Do any media outlets in Malaysia have the guts to draw attention to this case (daily!) and create public pressure to bring justice?

...
written by shocked, March 17, 2009

suggest circulation this around ALL countries but ESPECIALLY MALAYSIA as much as possible...

let the TRUTH emerge!!

Again,what diid Najib know and when did he know it?
written by Ramlax, March 17, 2009

I was born i 1945. My father who lived through the Japanese Occupation constantly reminded in my youth about how the people of Malaya was harassed and persecuted by the Japanese Masters. He told me a story of how one day at 12 midnight the Japanese took him away on suspicion that he had, as a Food Contro Officer, had syphoned supplies and sold them. Apparently one of his workmates who was doing what he accused my father of doing had pointed a finger at my father. Fortunately, for my father the investigation carried out by the Japanese absolved him any wrongdoing.

Malaysians, I wonder if we are returning to the days of the Japanese Occupation

ALLAH the ALMIGHTY!
written by chikungunya, March 23, 2009

Apa kata kita ramai-ramai berdoa,tak kira agama,bangsa,fahaman politik supaya tunjukkan kebenaran.kita tak mahu orang begini memerintah negara kita!!!!!!!!bayangkan...........subhanallah!!!

UNMO celaka
written by A concerned Malaysian, March 24, 2009

The ultimate question is who instructed the two officers to kill the poor tuya?
The Malaysian Court concluded that it was not baginda..... so if it is not baginda, then who???
Musa???
Najis???

...
written by necrow, April 04, 2009

Sooner or later this Barisan Nasional Party will collapsed. We shall wait n see!! Doesn't matter if it takes a thousand years more. We must prove to them the absolute of Peoples Power!!