After so long, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Setev Shaariibuu, the father of murdered Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu are finally going to have a meeting. Yes, face to face!
Although there have been requests for Altantuya’s case to be reopened now that the government has changed, this is still not confirmed, Dr Mahathir said in a press conference today (June 8). However, Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, who represents Setev said that he is arranging for an official meeting between the prime minister and Setev in relation with the high profile murder.
Based on a report by The Sun Daily, the meeting will be taking place this month (June) as Ramkarpal says that Setev will be arriving in a couple of weeks. He said that this meeting will address various doubts and confusions over the murder and that he will continue to press for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to determine the motive behind the brutal killing.
Ramkarpal said that Dr Mahathir can advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to set up the RCI if needed. Meanwhile, Sirul Azhar Umar, one of the convicted murderers, is still imprisoned in Australia, when he escaped there a few years ago. He had been sentenced to death but fled before that. Now, it appears that he may be willing to spill the beans on who ordered him to murder Altantuya.
Recently, a UK news portal reported that Australia was willing to extradite Sirul to Malaysia but Dr Mahathir said that he “wasn’t aware” that he had made such a request before. The convict is said to be fearful of returning to Malaysia as the death penalty awaits him. Dr Mahathir added, “When we reduce his sentence to life (imprisonment), maybe he will come back.”
Even then, Sirul still fears that he will be murdered in prison, should he return to Malaysia to serve the sentence.
However, the Australian government says that Malaysia had indeed been in contact to “clarify about Sirul’s situation” but as of now, no extradition request had been made. Ramkarpal also urged the new Attorney-General, Tommy Thomas to reopen Altantuya’s case so that justice will prevail.
“I have said before that the motive of the said murder must be exposed as the failure to do so can give rise to the perception that certain parties are being protected. If further investigations reveal a cover up on this issue, all those involved must be dealt with according to law and possibly be charged for aiding and abetting in her murder,” he added, reported Malaysian Insight.
Hopefully, Setev will be able to get some of the answers he needs when he meets Dr Mahathir!
Also read: President of Mongolia Urges Mahathir to Get to the Bottom Of Altantuya’s Murder