PKR is demanding answers to why the appeal of Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar Umar, facing the hangman's noose for the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu, has been delayed for over three years.

altantuya and son 050309 Police special action force personnel - chief inspector Azilah and corporal Sirul - were found guilty and sentenced to death by the Shah Alam High Court on April 9, 2009 for killing Altantuya ( left ) between 10pm on Oct 19 and 1am on Oct 20, 2006 at Lot 12843 and Lot 16735 Mukim Bukit Raja near Puncak Alam, Shah Alam.

The delay of this public interest appeal case for more than three years is unusual and unacceptable," said PKR vice-president N Surendran in a statement today.

The case drew wide attention, both locally and internationally, with the alleged  involvement of political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, a close confidant of the then deputy prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, in the case.

Another ingredient drops into pot

Abdul Razak was charged with abetting the murder, however, he was acquitted when the High Court found that the prosecution had failed to furnish proof of an important element in the conspiracy charge.

Surendran's queries come following Altantuya's father Setev Shaariibuu's, three-day visit to Kuala Lumpur to check on a civil suit he had filed on June 4, 2007 against the government, Abdul Razak and the two police personal seeking compensation for the physical and mental anguish suffered by his spouse and two grandchildren as a result of his eldest daughter's death

hindraf to palace 250408 n surendran Surendran ( left ) said the lengthy delay of the two police officers appeal, fixed for hearing over the Aug 27-28 period, "is cruel and unjust".

"The accused must remain on death row, in the shadow of the noose, until the appeal is disposed of," he hit out.

He pointed out that Najib, who had denied knowing Altantuya was, however, linked to another case in France involving alleged illegal kickbacks of 36 million Euro (RM144 million) funnelled through a Hong Kong-based company - Terasasi (Hong Kong Ltd) - the principal officer of which is allegedly Abdul Razak, for three for Scorpene submarines contracts in 2002.

Najib's persistent denial had kicked up a furore as Altantuya aside from her mother tongue  reportedly spoke fluent Mandarin, English, French, and Russian, worked as a translator in the procurement of the submarines and was also believed to be Abdul Razak's jilted lover.

"Now further evidence has emerged that has implications for the pending appeal. The late Altantuya's father has said in Malaysia this week that he has seen a photo of Najib with Altantuya in Paris," said Surendran.

Surendran, who is also a human rights advocate, noted that the Azilah and Sirul appeared to have had no motive that could have driven them to kill Altantuya.

"If so, who ordered the killing? It is in the public interest that this appeal be heard expeditiously, preferably before the 13th general election; the public is entitled to answers before going to the ballot box," he said.