Mr Abdul Razak Baginda (centre) was acquitted in October of abetting the slaying of Altantuya Shaariibuu (next picture). -- PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
KUALA LUMPUR - THE father of a slain Mongolian woman has asked a Malaysian court to question the attorney general for failing to appeal against the acquittal of a prime suspect who has top government connections, a lawyer said on Thursday.
Mr Abdul Razak Baginda, a close friend of Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, was acquitted in October of abetting the slaying of Altantuya Shaariibuu, a Mongolian interpreter who was shot in 2006.
Two police officers go on trial next month for allegedly carrying out the killing.
Mr Abdul Razak has admitted having an affair with the young interpreter before her killing. The prosecution said Abdul Razak wanted her out of the way because she harassed him for money after he ended their affair.
The case did not directly implicate the government, but Mr Abdul Razak's acquittal bolstered criticism of the Malaysian judiciary's independence.
Mr Shaariibuu Setev, the woman's father, filed a plea on Wednesday asking a high court to examine the attorney-general's decision not to appeal the decision, his lawyer Karpal Singh said.
Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail 'was wrong in not appealing.
... There has been miscarriage of justice,' Mr Singh told The Associated Press.
Mr Abdul Gani had until Nov 14 to file the appeal but decided not to, ensuring that Mr Abdul Razak would not be tried.
Mr Singh said Altantuya's father asked the court to order Abdul Gani to seek an extension of the Nov 14 deadline and file an appeal. He also wants Mr Abdul Gani to be told to seek a fresh arrest warrant against Mr Abdul Razak.
The court has not set a date for hearing Shaariibuu Setev's application.
AP
25/12/08
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