KUALA LUMPUR: The family of the late Altantuya Shaariibuu has called on the government to investigate allegations made in an affidavit by former police commando Azilah Hadri, who was convicted of the Mongolian woman's murder.
Lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo, representing the family, urged the government to launch a formal inquiry into the claims contained in Azilah’s affidavit, including the involvement of high-ranking officials named in it.
She said the affidavit was admitted into court records without objections from the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC).
In his affidavit, Azilah alleged that senior government officials had ordered a covert operation to eliminate and dispose of Altantuya.
"The implications of these allegations directly challenge the integrity of our public institutions, particularly the Royal Malaysia Police.
"If proven true, these claims indicate the exploitation of state institutions for personal agendas by influential individuals, undermining public trust and damaging the nation’s international reputation.
"The government cannot afford to be seen as complicit in a cover-up of this magnitude," Sangeet said in a statement on Friday (Jan 3).
She warned that any perception of inaction or intentional suppression of the truth would severely damage the credibility of the government and the nation’s standing both locally and internationally.
Sangeet revealed that a formal letter was sent to Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in October last year, with copies to the Prime Minister and the AGC.
However, no response or visible action has been taken, she said.
The family also urged the government to clarify its efforts to extradite Sirul Azhar Umar, who was also convicted in Altantuya’s murder, from Australia to face justice.
"This matter transcends 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," Sangeet added.
On Oct 10 last year, the Federal Court commuted Azilah’s death sentence to 40 years in prison, effective from his date of arrest, and 12 strokes of the cane.
Azilah had applied for a review of his sentence following the enactment of the Abolition of the Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023.
Azilah and Sirul were convicted in 2009 for the murder Altantuya in 2006.
She was abducted, shot, and her remains were destroyed with explosives in Shah Alam.
The conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeal in 2013, allowing both men to walk free until the prosecution’s appeal reinstated their death sentences in 2015.
During this period, Sirul fled to Australia.
He was later detained by Australian immigration authorities for overstaying, while Azilah remained on death row in Malaysia.
