SHAH ALAM: The two policemen found guilty today of murdering a Mongolian national may have received the death sentence but it will not erase the negative image of Malaysia globally, said veteran lawyer Karpal Singh.
Wheelchair-bound Karpal, who held a watching brief for the family of the murder victim Altantuya Shaariibuu, applauded High Court judge Datuk Mohd Zaki Md Yasin’s decision to sentence Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, 33, and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 37, to the gallows.
But he said the main issue had failed to be addressed. The two cops were members of the Special Action Squad (UTK), a team that is constantly despatched to guard ministers and other high-ranking government officials but “did not, could not have the motive to commit such a horrendous murder”.
“Obviously, others out there would be responsible and would have the motive to direct such a crime to be committed. To my mind, these two are just the fall guys,” said Karpal, who is also the DAP chairman and a vocal critic against the Barisan Nasional federal government.
Karpal disagreed with the Honorary Consul to Mongolia, Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi, who told reporters the ruling seemed “fair” and claimed Shaariibuu Setev, the murder victim’s father, was “happy” with the verdict when informed over the phone this morning
Karpal admitted to The Malaysian Insider he had yet to speak with Shaariibuu at that point, but thinks neither his family nor the Mongolian government will be satisfied with the conviction and sentencing of the two cops.
“Too many questions left unanswered,” the federal lawmaker added.
The Bukit Gelugor MP said he will continue pushing the High Court for a judicial review against the Attorney-General’s decision not to appeal against political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda.
Abdul Razak was freed by the same court last October without having his defence called.
The former aide to Datuk Seri Najib Razak, back when he was deputy prime minister, was charged with aiding Azilah and Sirul in the murder of Altantuya, his one-time mistress. A messy break-up led to Abdul Razak’s meeting with the two UTK personnel and which caused him to be dragged into the sordid affair.
Karpal said he is also pushing for a civil suit, filed in 2007 on behalf of Altantuya’s two children, against Azilah, Sirul, Abdul Razak and the federal government.
He urged the federal government to prioritise the judicial review and the civil suit “instead of letting it languish in court a long time.”
“It’s not fair to Altantuya’s children, one of whom is mentally challenged,” he said.
“The case is of such magnitude that the prime minister has to make efforts to erase the negative image and perception of the country in the eyes of the world,” said Karpal.
MI
09/04/09
Wheelchair-bound Karpal, who held a watching brief for the family of the murder victim Altantuya Shaariibuu, applauded High Court judge Datuk Mohd Zaki Md Yasin’s decision to sentence Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, 33, and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 37, to the gallows.
But he said the main issue had failed to be addressed. The two cops were members of the Special Action Squad (UTK), a team that is constantly despatched to guard ministers and other high-ranking government officials but “did not, could not have the motive to commit such a horrendous murder”.
“Obviously, others out there would be responsible and would have the motive to direct such a crime to be committed. To my mind, these two are just the fall guys,” said Karpal, who is also the DAP chairman and a vocal critic against the Barisan Nasional federal government.
Karpal disagreed with the Honorary Consul to Mongolia, Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi, who told reporters the ruling seemed “fair” and claimed Shaariibuu Setev, the murder victim’s father, was “happy” with the verdict when informed over the phone this morning
Karpal admitted to The Malaysian Insider he had yet to speak with Shaariibuu at that point, but thinks neither his family nor the Mongolian government will be satisfied with the conviction and sentencing of the two cops.
“Too many questions left unanswered,” the federal lawmaker added.
The Bukit Gelugor MP said he will continue pushing the High Court for a judicial review against the Attorney-General’s decision not to appeal against political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda.
Abdul Razak was freed by the same court last October without having his defence called.
The former aide to Datuk Seri Najib Razak, back when he was deputy prime minister, was charged with aiding Azilah and Sirul in the murder of Altantuya, his one-time mistress. A messy break-up led to Abdul Razak’s meeting with the two UTK personnel and which caused him to be dragged into the sordid affair.
Karpal said he is also pushing for a civil suit, filed in 2007 on behalf of Altantuya’s two children, against Azilah, Sirul, Abdul Razak and the federal government.
He urged the federal government to prioritise the judicial review and the civil suit “instead of letting it languish in court a long time.”
“It’s not fair to Altantuya’s children, one of whom is mentally challenged,” he said.
“The case is of such magnitude that the prime minister has to make efforts to erase the negative image and perception of the country in the eyes of the world,” said Karpal.
MI
09/04/09
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