'You were young, just in your 20s. You were supposed to have lived your life but you died by coming to Malaysia. Who shot you? Who placed the explosives on you? Who masterminded it all? Your young son has lost his mother's love...'
MCPX
And so read the prayer for the late Altantunya Shaariibuu, the Mongolian national who became a household name in Malaysia under the most tragic of circumstances.
This afternoon, several PKR politicians held a short prayer session in conjunction with the Chinese 'Cheng Beng' ritual of commemorating the souls of the departed.
Perak PKR state representatives Tai Sing Ng (Kuala Sepetang) and Chang Lih Kang (Teja) performed the short prayer session which attracted a small crowd of curious onlookers by the roadside in Simpang, Taiping.
A photo of the slain woman was plastered on a wooden board and planted by the roadside and joss sticks were lit while the prayer was recited using a loudhailer.
The politicians prayed that her soul finds everlasting peace. Following this, offerings in the form of burning 'hell notes', paper mache shoes and clothes were made.
"There appears to be a lack of transparency in the probe on her murder. We are using this opportunity to remind everyone that a Mongolian woman was murdered in Malaysia and justice has yet to be served," Chang told reporters later.
It was an eerie experience for journalists as rain started to pour the minute the ceremony began, only to stop immediately once the payers were over. Supernatural forces aside, Taiping has the highest rainfall in the country.
Many would see this as a noble gesture on the part of the opposition politicians, who vehemently denied that it was a publicity stunt.
However, it would be difficult to deny that there was no political motives whatsoever given the fact that a by-election would take place in the neighbourhood next Tuesday.
IGP: They could be related
Commenting on this, Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan said the police would act if ongoing court cases, including the Altantuya case, are mentioned during ceramahs as it would be subjudice.
"(But) if they want to mourn, let them mourn... Altantuya could be their relative... who knows," he said with sarcasm.
The spectre of the Mongolian woman has haunted incoming premier Najib Abdul Razak since the case first came to light two years ago.
Despite his repeated denials of having any involvement in the matter or having met her, the speculations and allegations refuse to fade, and has lent a severe blow to his image.
This incident has also become the most powerful weapon in the opposition’s arsenal to attack Najib.
This was even conceded by his mentor and former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who recently remarked: "Legally he has cleared his name (over Altantuya). But whether people will perceive that he has cleared his name or not is something he cannot decide."
One of Najib’s close aides, political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda was initially charged with abetting the murder but was later acquitted.
Two members of the elite police special operations force were charged with killing Altantuya in a forest reserve in Shah Alam. The duo, who face the death sentence, are now awaiting the court's judgment which is scheduled to be announced next month.
03/04/09
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