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July 4, 2008
Charge, countercharge over Altantuya Shaariibuu case
Najib knew murder victim, claims key witness
By Leslie Lopez
KUALA LUMPUR - A KEY witness in the sensational murder trial of a Mongolian woman has alleged a major government cover-up in the case.

Indeed, he said that the Malaysian police refused to investigate his claims that Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak knew the murder victim.

In an explosive development this week, former policeman Balasubramaniam Perumal said that vital information he provided on the murder of Ms Altantuya Shaariibuu to his police interrogators was omitted from his sworn statement.

He said he believed that the information showed there were more than three people involved in the murder.

Yet this was not raised by government prosecutors during his testimony in the trial of Abdul Razak Baginda.

The former political adviser to the Deputy Premier and two commando specialists are charged in connection with the murder of Ms Altantuya in October 2006.

In an exclusive interview with The Straits Times, Mr Balasubramaniam said that his decision to come forward was not motivated by personal gain.

'There is a strong possibility that three individuals other than the three accused have played a role (in the murder),' said the soft-spoken man, who served in the police force for 17 years. 'I also hope I can save my client.'

Mr Balasubramaniam, a private investigator, was engaged as a security consultant by Abdul Razak just before the murder of Ms Altantuya.

His statutory declaration on the surrounding events was released at a packed news conference chaired by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Datuk Seri Anwar said that Mr Balasubramaniam's revelation showed that evidence can be suppressed or fabricated to establish a 'pre-arranged script and a pre-arranged outcome'.

'This is exactly what happened to me 10 years ago,' he said.

Mr Anwar was referring to his sacking and subsequent imprisonment on charges of corruption and sexual misconduct.

Among other highlights of the statutory declaration:

  • Ms Altantuya was promised a commission of US$500,000 (S$685,000) for assisting in a submarine deal in Paris.

  • Mr Najib introduced Ms Altantuya to Abdul Razak at a diamond exhibition in Singapore and all three of them were seen together at a dinner in Paris.

  • A text message that Abdul Razak received on the day of his arrest on his mobile phone, allegedly from Mr Najib, read: 'I am seeing the IGP (Inspector-General of Police) at 11am today...matter will be solved...be cool.'

    Mr Balasubramaniam, 47, said that he decided to break his silence after the prosecution closed its case in the Altantuya murder trial last month without introducing vital evidence that he had provided to the police and the public prosecutors.

    'I felt very frustrated at the way the case was handled,' said the father of three school-going children.

    He also said that he was moved by the arrest of the leaders of Hindraf last year under the Internal Security Act.

    He admitted to being a strong supporter of the new movement which has been battling for better rights for the country's minority Indian population.

    'When the Hindraf people were arrested, I felt sad and angry,' he said. 'They didn't do anything wrong but fought for the rights of their community.'

    ljlopez@sph.com.sg

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