In a long-standing case that has gripped Malaysia for nearly two decades, political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda has been ordered by the High Court to pay RM4.7 million in damages to the family of murdered Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu.
The Malaysian government has also been slapped with the same financial penalty, bringing the total damages to over RM9 million.
However, the decision raises more questions than it answers: especially since Razak was previously acquitted of any criminal liability in her murder without ever having to present his defence.
The Brutal Murder That Shook the Nation
Altantuya's murder in 2006 remains one of the most gruesome crimes in Malaysia’s history. Her body was blown up with military-grade explosives in a forest on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
The two men convicted of the crime, Sirul Azhar Umar and Azilah Hadri, were elite police officers attached to the security detail of Najib Razak, who was then Malaysia’s Defence Minister.
Despite their conviction, key questions about the murder’s motive and mastermind remain unanswered.
Civil society groups and investigative reports have linked Altantuya’s murder to her alleged role as an interpreter in Malaysia’s controversial 2002 purchase of French submarines, a deal tainted by allegations of corruption.
A Civil Ruling That Contradicts the Criminal Trial?
The recent civil ruling, delivered by High Court Judicial Commissioner M Sumathi, effectively holds Razak and the government accountable for Altantuya’s wrongful death. The damages awarded stem from a 2022 High Court judgment, which found Razak, the government, and the two convicted policemen responsible for her killing.
Yet, in stark contrast, Razak was acquitted of abetting the murder in 2008 without ever having to mount a defence.
This contradiction raises a fundamental legal and ethical question: How can a person be found liable in a civil case for a crime that they were never required to defend in a criminal trial? While civil cases require a lower burden of proof than criminal trials, the glaring disparity between the two rulings fuels speculation that justice has not been fully served.
The Najib Connection and Allegations of a Cover-Up
Adding another layer of complexity is the accusation made by convicted ex-policeman Azilah Hadri in 2019. In a statutory declaration, Azilah claimed that former Prime Minister Dato' Seri Najib Razak ordered Altantuya’s killing. Najib has consistently denied any involvement, dismissing Azilah’s statement as a desperate bid to escape the death penalty.
Meanwhile, Sirul Azhar fled to Australia before his death sentence was upheld in 2015. He was detained in an Australian immigration centre for years before being released in 2023. Malaysia has yet to secure his extradition due to Australia's strict policies against sending individuals back to countries where they face the death penalty.
Will This Case Ever See True Justice?
Despite the latest ruling, doubts persist over whether the full truth behind Altantuya’s murder will ever emerge.
Razak and the government are appealing the damages decision to the Court of Appeal, set for hearing in May 2025. Given the case’s deep political undertones and its connection to high-profile figures, the appeal process is likely to be closely watched.
For Altantuya’s family, this legal battle has already stretched for nearly 20 years. While financial compensation may offer some recognition of their loss, it does little to answer the unresolved question at the heart of this case: Who truly ordered her murder, and why?
As Malaysia wrestles with its past, the Altantuya case remains a haunting reminder of the gaps in its justice system, where power, politics, and legal technicalities can sometimes overshadow the pursuit of truth.
By: Kpost
Information Source: AstroAwani
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