Anwar: Connection made, why no probe?

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Anwar Ibrahim has again asked why Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has yet to be questioned in relation to the high-profile murder last October.

The affidavit submitted by political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda in his bid to secure bail in the Shah Alam High Court last Friday has revealed a link between the deputy premier’s office and the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu.

“It was clearly stated that Abdul Razak had gone to the deputy premier’s office to meet with the head of Najib’s bodyguards. Why can’t we question this? Why can’t we investigate?”

“Are our investigation authorities so afraid of corrupt leaders that they can’t even investigate a murder case? When will we be able to save this country? If we keep silent, we are real bacul (cowards).”

Anwar, who is adviser to opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), said he would not have claimed there was a connection between Najib’s office and the murder if he did not have evidence.

He had earlier called for the murder investigation to be widened to question Najib.

While Anwar did not mention the name of the ‘head of Najib’s bodyguards’, it is learnt that he was referring to DSP Musa Safri, whose name cropped up for the first time in the affidavit. The court was not told the position he currently holds.

A check by malaysiakini with Najib’s office confirmed that Musa is his chief aide de camp (military officer acting as confidential assistant and security officer to VIPs in Malaysia).

According to last Saturday’s press reports on the contents of the affidavit:

• - Abdul Razak first sought Musa’s help to remove Altantuya, who was allegedly causing a commotion outside the analyst’s house on Oct 17 last year.
• - Musa said he would send Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri to help.
• - Azilah then contacted Abdul Razak and claimed that he had killed at least six people previously and could help put a stop to the harassment.
• - Abdul Razak said he met with Musa in Najib’s office on Oct 20 and asked the latter what had happened to Altantuya, but was told that Azilah had not updated Musa.
• - A few days later, he asked Musa again and received the same answer.
• - Abdul Razak also claimed he had told Azilah not to do anything untoward to Altantuya.
• The analyst, who is known to have close ties with Najib and has played an advisory role in several defence deals, also said he had befriended Musa through his work at the Malaysian Strategic Research Centre.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Lim Kit Siang urged Najib to 'Clear the air now on the Abdul Razak-Altantunya murder case'

On 11th January, 2007, I had said that the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak cannot continue to keep his “elegant silence” in connection with the gruesome murder of Mongolian beauty Altantunya Sharribuu involving C4 explosives, as the three persons charged all had dealings with him, with two being Special Operations Force (UTK) officers Chief Insp Azilah Hadri, 30, and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 35, assigned to protect him as the DPM and a third his confidante, Abdul Razak Baginda.

The extraordinary and unprecedented step taken by Abdul Razak’s solicitor on Friday to read out Abdul Razak’s affidavit in his unsuccessful application for bail raised fresh and very grave issues demanding a public response from Najib, including:

•Whether he had been aware right from the beginning of Abdul Razak’s problems with Altantunya;

•Whether he had all along been aware of the involvement of DSP Musa Safri and UTK officers assigned to him with Abdul Razak’s problems with Altantunya, as Abdul Razak admitted discussing with Musa on the subject when they met at the deputy prime minister’s office on Oct. 20 last year;

•Whether he had been aware of the allegation that UTK officer Chief Insp. Azilah assigned to protect him had killed six or more people, and the nature of these killings.

It is not only Najib who must clear the air, the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan must come forward to allay public concerns as to whether police investigations into the murder of Altantunya had been thorough and comprehensive, in particular:

•Whether Najib had been investigated by the police;

•Whether DSP Musa Safri had been investigated; and

•Whether the police had investigated Abdul Razak’s allegation that Chief Insp. Azilah had killed six or more people, and whether any such killings were in the course of duty or otherwise.

It is not only the three accused who are in the dock in the trial of the murder of Altantunya, the integrity of the Malaysian government leaders, the rule of law and the police system are also in the dock. Both the nation and the world are watching.


Malaysia Anwar Najib Razak Mongolian murder