Quit delaying, take action over Azilah's affidavit - Altantuya's family
Published: Jan 3, 2025 4:12 PM
Summary
- The family of the murdered Mongolian translator claims the government is yet to act over an affidavit by one of her killers which implicated high-ranking officials.
- The affidavit alleges that two former police commandos acted under orders to kill Altantuya Shaariibuu in 2006.
Altantuya Shaariibuu's family called for immediate government action against high-ranking officials allegedly involved in her 2006 murder, demanding they quit feet-dragging.
The family's counsel Sangeet Kaur Deo pointed out today that the government via the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) did not object to the affidavit by former police commando Azilah Hadri.
On Oct 10 last year, the Federal Court allowed Azilah’s application to commute his death sentence to 40 years imprisonment and 12 strokes of the rotan, effective from the date of his arrest.
Sangeet urged the Madani administration to initiate a thorough inquiry into allegations in Azilah's affidavit that he received orders from above to kill Altantuya.
Former police commando Azilah Hadri
She urged the administration to ensure the police and other government institutions are protected from exploitation by powerful entities and individuals.
She also demanded the government clarify the status of its efforts to extradite former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar, who was also convicted of Altantuya's murder, from Australia.
"The government cannot afford to be seen as complicit in a cover-up of this magnitude.
"Any perception of inaction or intentional suppression of the truth will severely damage the credibility of the administration and the nation's standing in the eyes of its citizens and the international community.
"Despite the severity of these claims, and a formal letter sent to Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, as far back as October 2024, copied to the prime minister and the AGC, there has been no response or visible action from the ministry.
"The question now arises: how much longer must affected parties wait before real action is taken? How long will the government remain silent while the nation’s reputation continues to be tarnished," Sangeet said in a media statement.
Malaysia’s values and reputation
The lawyer reminded the government that this matter transcended political interests and strikes at the core of Malaysia's values and reputation on the international stage, which has been severely compromised in recent years.
"The ‘Altantuya Scandal’ has long plagued this country and continued refusal to properly investigate this scandal raises serious concerns about the Madani government’s commitment to transparency and accountability," she said.
Altantuya, 28, was murdered in a deserted area in Shah Alam, Selangor, in October 2006. Her remains were blown up with military-grade explosives.
She urged the administration to ensure the police and other government institutions are protected from exploitation by powerful entities and individuals.
She also demanded the government clarify the status of its efforts to extradite former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar, who was also convicted of Altantuya's murder, from Australia.
"The government cannot afford to be seen as complicit in a cover-up of this magnitude.
"Any perception of inaction or intentional suppression of the truth will severely damage the credibility of the administration and the nation's standing in the eyes of its citizens and the international community.
"Despite the severity of these claims, and a formal letter sent to Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, as far back as October 2024, copied to the prime minister and the AGC, there has been no response or visible action from the ministry.
"The question now arises: how much longer must affected parties wait before real action is taken? How long will the government remain silent while the nation’s reputation continues to be tarnished," Sangeet said in a media statement.
Malaysia’s values and reputation
The lawyer reminded the government that this matter transcended political interests and strikes at the core of Malaysia's values and reputation on the international stage, which has been severely compromised in recent years.
"The ‘Altantuya Scandal’ has long plagued this country and continued refusal to properly investigate this scandal raises serious concerns about the Madani government’s commitment to transparency and accountability," she said.
Altantuya, 28, was murdered in a deserted area in Shah Alam, Selangor, in October 2006. Her remains were blown up with military-grade explosives.
Former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar
The Shah Alam High Court in 2009 found Azilah and Sirul guilty of the murder and sentenced them to death.
However, in 2013, the Court of Appeal quashed the conviction and freed the duo. Sirul then flew to Australia in 2013 while Azhar remained in Malaysia.
Two years later, the Federal Court reinstated the duo's conviction and death sentence.
In late 2023, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said that Malaysia was unable to apply for Sirul’s extradition until the latter applied to commute his death sentence into a jail sentence.
The Shah Alam High Court in 2009 found Azilah and Sirul guilty of the murder and sentenced them to death.
However, in 2013, the Court of Appeal quashed the conviction and freed the duo. Sirul then flew to Australia in 2013 while Azhar remained in Malaysia.
Two years later, the Federal Court reinstated the duo's conviction and death sentence.
In late 2023, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said that Malaysia was unable to apply for Sirul’s extradition until the latter applied to commute his death sentence into a jail sentence.
Najib gave the order to Bomb.
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