Ex-top cop backtracks on Altantuya, says those with new info should come forward
(The Malaysian Insider) – Just four days after urging police to reopen the murder case of Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu, former top cop Tan Sri Musa Hassan has now backtracked on it.
(Also read “What game is ex-IGP Musa Hassan playing?“)
In an exclusive interview with Umno-controlled English daily, the New Straits Times (NST), Musa defended the investigations into the case nine years ago and said that unless there was new information on the murder, it should not be reopened.
“They had investigated the case thoroughly and with the evidence they found, three persons were charged in court,” he was quoted as saying.
“If anyone has new information on the case, he or she should lodge a report so that an investigation can be initiated.”
Musa, who was the inspector-general of police during the height of the case, was reported as saying that he was satisfied with how the case was handled and as such, did not see the need to be implicate others in the murder.
In the NST report, Musa also denied that there was any interference from other parties during the investigation period.
“Not to my knowledge.”
Musa had previously told The Malaysian Insider that police must answer questions raised by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the case.
He said Dr Mahathir should not be blamed for asking questions nor should he be hauled up under the Sedition Act as demanded by certain quarters.
“Right now, Dr Mahathir did not commit any offence. (You) want (police) to investigate him for what?
“He is merely asking questions, who gave the order (to kill Altantuya)? Can that be deemed as seditious?
“He wants to know who gave the order. So, the police investigation, if possible, should focus on finding the answer to this,” he said.
Prior to that, the former IGP had tweeted that police must reopen investigations into the nine-year-old murder case so that all of Dr Mahathir’s questions can be answered.
“Tun Mahathir tidak melakukan kesalahn beliau menyuarakan pertanyaan harap penyiasatan polis dpt menjawab segala pertanyaan Tun, (Dr Mahathir did nothing wrong in asking questions, hope police investigation will be able to answer all his queries).
However, Musa, in the NST report, said he had not asked police to reopen the case but had instead asked those who had new information to come forward.
“What I meant was in reference to the deputy home minister’s statement that a discreet investigation had been initiated against former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad,” he was quoted as saying.
