Mongolian govt to post security bond for Altantuya's family

KUALA LUMPUR: Karpal Singh who is counsel for the family of murdered Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu said the Mongolian government had agreed to post a security deposit bond of RM60,000 for the family to enable the Court of Appeal to continue with the compensation hearing.

“They (Mongolian government) have agreed to make the payment before June 30. The family’s case seeking compensation will continue now,” Karpal told FMT yesterday.

He said, however, that the court process could take time. The case is currently with the Court of Appeal and will continue to the Federal Court.

Following the court’s order for a security bond, Karpal had appealed to all Pakatan Rakyat MPs and state assemblymen to chip in and help the family with funds.

“But now that the Mongolian government has agreed to assist Altantuya’s father Shaariibuu Setev post the bond, there will be no need to collect donations from the MPs and state reps,” Karpal said.

On June 4, 2007, Altantuya’s father, Setev, mother Altantsetseg Sanjaa and her two sons Mungunshagai and Altanshagai Munkhtulga had summoned the Malaysian government, Abdul Razak Baginda, and the two accused – chief inspector Azilah Hadri and corporal Sirul Azhar Umar – to seek RM100 million in compensation for her death.

They alleged that Azilah and Sirul, who were attached to the Special ActionUnit , had shot Altantuya and disposed of her corpse by exploding it using a C4 bomb. Bits of Altantuya’s body were later found in the forest area in Puncak Alam, Shah Alam, on Nov 7, 2006.

Three months to pay

Following the family’s claim for compensation, Abdul Razak and the Malaysian government as well as the defendants filed an application asking that Setev and family prepare a cost guarantee of RM1 million or any amount deemed fit by the court.

The family appealed and the Shah Alam High Court on March 30, 2010, ordered the Setev family to pay a security bond of RM60,000 instead to the Malaysian government and Abdul Razak, who is said to have been Prime Minister Najib Razak’s political adviser.

The plaintiff, Setev, was required to deposit the payment with the court as security to enable court proceedings to continue.

Judicial Commissioner Zaleha Yusof ruled in chambers that Setev had three months to pay RM30,000 each to the Malaysian government and Abdul Razak.

Setev had at that point said he would seek the assistance of MPs in Mongolia and Malaysia to help with the finance because the RM60,000 was too much for the family.

Karpal had said that he would not further burden Setev and family with the deposit because Setev only earned US$200 (RM620) a month and needed it to take care of the family, including Altantuya’s two sons.
source: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com