The family of murdered Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu has refunded over RM4.8 million in damages and interest to the government after a court appeal.
KUALA LUMPUR: The family of murdered Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu has refunded more than RM4.8 million to the Malaysian government.
The sum comprises damages and accrued interest previously awarded to them, following a Court of Appeal ruling that absolved the government of liability for her 2006 death.
Lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo, representing the family, confirmed the full remittance was made. She stated the entire amount had been preserved untouched in a stakeholder account in strict compliance with the court’s order.
“The entire sum previously paid pursuant to the conditional stay order of the Shah Alam Court, comprising the full judgment sum and all accrued interest, was remitted in full to the Government of Malaysia yesterday,” she said.
Sangeet added that the same course was taken regarding political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, with the remittance effected according to deductions ordered by the Court of Appeal.
She emphasised the family’s primary motive was not financial. “As Altantuya’s father has consistently said, this case has never been about money,” Sangeet stated.
“What he seeks are answers, accountability, and acknowledgement. The prompt and full return of the sum, together with the interest earned, reflects that position in the clearest possible terms.”
The refund stems from a 2025 High Court decision that ordered both the government and Abdul Razak to pay RM4.7 million each to Altantuya’s family.
The Court of Appeal later held the government was not vicariously liable, as the acts of the two convicted former police officers were committed outside their duty.
Altantuya’s parents and grandson had initially filed a RM100 million lawsuit in 2007, claiming her death caused them mental shock and psychological trauma.
The Shah Alam High Court in 2022 allowed the lawsuit and ordered the convicted officers, Abdul Razak, and the government to jointly pay RM5 million in damages.
Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar Umar were convicted in 2009 of murdering Altantuya in Shah Alam between October 19 and 20, 2006.
The Federal Court in 2015 upheld their convictions and death sentences after overturning a prior acquittal by the Court of Appeal.
