Mongolia to fund Altantuya family’s compensation suit
By Debra Chong, The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 — The Mongolian government has remitted RM60,000 as security costs to fund a civil lawsuit against the Malaysian government over the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu.
The family of Altantuya, who was killed by two special action squad officers and had her body blown up with explosives in a jungle near here four years ago, is seeking RM100 million in compensation from Putrajaya and her ex-lover, Abdul Razak Baginda, a former political analyst said to be a close friend of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
But Altantuya’s father, Shaariibuu Setev, was reported to be struggling to put up the security bond. He claimed his efforts to get financial help from his country’s government had failed, despite an earlier pledge.
Lawyer Karpal Singh, who is representing Altantuya’s family, confirmed with The Malaysian Insider the amount was transferred into his firm’s bank account last Monday.
“I will send someone to deposit the money at the Shah Alam High Court registry today, otherwise the case will be dismissed,” said Karpal, also a veteran lawmaker.
The Bukit Gelugor MP said the case must go on in the interest of justice and had vowed to help Shaariibuu get the money from Pakatan Rakyat lawmakers.
The Mongolian model was only 28 when she died, leaving behind two young sons, one who is disabled. Her father claimed the single mother was the sole breadwinner in the family.
Abdul Razak was charged with abetting in the murder but was acquitted two years ago.
Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, who had been part of Najib’s security detail when he was deputy prime minister, were found guilty and sentenced to the gallows. They are appealing the death sentence.
Shaariibuu has alleged Abdul Razak and the federal government were involved, a claim they deny.
Both Abdul Razak and Putrajaya said Shaariibuu should bear the cost of the civil suit if he insists on pursuing the charge.
The High Court agreed and initially fixed the security bond at RM1.25 million, but lowered it to RM30,00 per party in March after Shaariibuu protested.
