Altantuya's father loses composure in emotional press conference

PETALING JAYA, Thurs:

He is normally calm and composed, but having waited so long and still not having seen justice done, Dr Setev Shaariibuu simply lost it today.

The father of murdered Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu slammed his fist on the table during a press conference yesterday and threatened diplomatic consequences should the trial of his daughter’s accused murderers not be fair, free and speedy.

Setev had fought hard the whole press conference to hold back the tears. That his eyes watered up several times was clear to all, but he still put on a brave front.

Up until his outburst, that is.

Setev claimed two letters were sent by the Mongolian prime minister to Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi late last year.

He claimed the letters did not receive any response from Abdullah.

“If this case is not solved, Mongolia will sever diplomatic ties with Malaysia. The people of Mongolia take this case very seriously,” he said, through interpreter and lawyer Mijidorj Munkhsaruul.

Setev then stormed off, leaving Parti Keadilan Rakyat leaders, including president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail and her deputy Prof Dr Syed Husin Ali in the lurch.

The party had organised the press conference at its headquarters in Section 16, here. All Dr Wan Azizah could do was make a plea for a speedy and fair trial.

Setev’s behaviour was unlike what pressmen and others who have met him are used to.

He normally has a composed air about him, masking the pain that everybody knows he surely feels having had his eldest daughter brutally murdered.
Setev has complained about how long the trial is taking, but never so passionately or so furiously.

Earlier yesterday, he conveyed his disappointment and regret over the postponement of the trial again, having met deputy public prosecutor Tun Abd Majid Tun Hamzah just two days before.

Setev has travelled many times to Malaysia to see justice served, but time and again has returned home disappointed.

He also explained that he filed a suit against the government over the affair as he needed “humanitarian aid” for Altantuya’s youngest son, who is ill.

He claimed the 4-year-old had peripheral nerve paralysis and cannot walk, and his wife had just had a heart attack.

Special Action Squad members Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, 32, and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 37, are being tried for murdering Altantuya in Bukit Raja between 10pm on Oct 19 and 11am the following day, two years ago.

Political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda was charged with abetting the two.

Regina Lee
NST online

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