Altantuya's dad makes surprise appearance

DR Shaariibuu Setev, the father of murdered Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu, made an unexpected appearance at parliament yesterday while the House was bustling with members waiting to take their oaths.

The exhausted man, accompanied by an interpreter, waited anxiously in the lobby. They were then joined by Bukit Gelugor member of parliament Karpal Singh and his son and Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo at a press conference.

For Shaariibuu, the crowd around him was an opportunity to publicly say a little prayer for Altantuya, who would have been 30 yesterday.

Shaariibuu asked the group of people around him to pay respects to Altantuya by observing a 10-second silence.

He then passed a piece of paper which stated that Mongolians were watching Malaysia and its people to see if they would act on humanitarian grounds to bring justice and punish those responsible for the murder of his daughter.

Shaariibuu said he was concerned and upset over the murder trial's slow pace. He wanted to meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Karpal said the trial was being prolonged without any good reason.

"Our entire judicial system is on trial and every expert should make sure that justice is done and the perpetrators punished," said Karpal.

Shaariibuu also said if the case was not tried fairly, Mongolia would break off diplomatic ties with Malaysia.

A letter to the effect had been sent by the Mongolian Foreign Ministry last October.

Karpal added that he would hand over a note from Shaariibuu to the prime minister.

Shaariibuu also hinted that he had evidence on the case which he would reveal when "the time was right".

He declined further comment when pressed on the issue.

NST

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